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Birthday

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If you’ve been reading this blog for the past few days, you know that today is my birthday. If you haven’t…well, now you know.

I recently found the charm bracelet I wore in high school. It looks just like new. Among the charms are Comedy/Tragedy masks, musical notes, a megaphone (because I directed a play in my senior year), a Thespian charm, a bell – I think it was for choir, a cap and diploma – and a Happy Birthday Sweet 16 charm. I remember that birthday. My friends threw a surprise party for my friend Wendy and me. Wendy’s birthday is the day after mine. It seems a lifetime ago, yet I can remember it all very clearly. I suppose in the time/space continuum it happened yesterday. Or is happening now. Or something like that. I’m a lot older than 16 now, but that 16 year old girl is still a part of me. I carry the little girl I once was, the pre-teen, the teenager, the young adult, and all the ‘me’s’ I have been over the years.

I have always loved this quote from Carol Matthau:

There is no old age. There is, as there always was, just you.

Despite the fact that I sometimes feel every bit of my age, I firmly believe that age is a state of mind. So as I celebrate this birthday, I vow to be young at heart, take more risks, read more, continue to keep an open mind and heart, reach out to others in need be they human or animal, fight for the underdog, trust more, express gratitude, be less judgmental, continue to fight for the causes I believe in, dance with my husband, laugh as much as I possibly can, kiss my dogs, learn something new every day, tell those dear to me that I love them, offer a smile to a stranger, hold the door open for others, be compassionate, let go of worry as it accomplishes nothing, and be willing to embrace change knowing and trusting that there are even more exciting things ahead. And there are.

Have a great Sunday!

Comments

  5. Happy birthday sweet Claudia!! It’s mine in a couple of weeks so your encouraging (is that the right word, hmmm maybe not but I’m sure you get my meaning) words are timely.

    I’ve been a bit behind in the news over here recently – I’m glad to know that your back is better and hope that you’ve written on your cute new blackboard 100 times ‘women over the age of 25 should not climb ladders’ :) (Note to self – take self’s advice when working on NZ cottage renovations shortly…).

    Reply

  12. Claudia-happy birthday,dear.
    I loved every word you wrote, they are sooo right- and for your goals, I just yesterday I thought of some of them,to be mine,too-
    Hope you had a wonderfull day.
    Hugs,Dorthe

    Reply

  13. *´¨)
    ¸.·´¸.·*´¨) ¸.·*¨)
    (¸.·´ (¸.·´ * ƸӜƷ Happy Birthday Dearest Claudia!

    What a beautiful post and I too enjoyed every word and share many of the same feelings as you about growing older.

    Hope your day was as special as you are!

    xoxo
    Karyn

    Reply

  16. What a wonderful post, Claudia. Love the charm bracelet, what a great memento of your earlier life. And I want to embrace your sentiment for myself too… I’m going to give it a go..

    Happy Birthday to you :-)

    Reply

  18. Happy Birthday Dear Claudia!

    What a great post…I always envy those with good memories. I have a difficult time remembering anything other than snippets of my growing up years, and even when my babies were little. Photos jog my memory some, but not enough…

    Enjoy your day!

    Reply

  21. Happiest of birthdays Claudia. I love your bracelet and all the sweet memories it represents ~ and that you knew who you were in high school! Looking forward to some fancy photography (: Blessings for an extraordinary year ahead.

    Reply

  24. happy birthday to you
    happy birthday to you
    happy birthday dear claudiaaaaa
    happy birthday to you!

    i love this post (gee, i say that a lot here, don’t i?). you have summed up so many of my own thoughts.

    i hope you have a truly wonderful day! maybe even a little dance with don.

    xo
    elyse

    Reply

  27. Happy, Happy Birthday, Dear Claudia! I love looking at other peoples charm bracelets and the stories behind each charm, it’s like a scrapbook you can wear. Have a great Birthday and a wonderful week! xxoo Nan

    Reply

  36. Happy Birthday Claudia, I hope you have a wonderful day, eat lots of cake. Your bracelet brings back so many memories for me. I also had one, but when I was first married someone broke into our new home and stole mine. I sure wish I had mine now. Yours is beautiful. Thank you for sharing, your post was wonderful. Happy Birthday. Hugs, Terri

    Reply

  38. Happy, happy birthday, Claudia, my sweet blog bud! My girls have left for Oklahoma. Quiet now. Wow, what a circus! I wish I could be there to give you a birthday hug, because you’ve been such a special friend to me over the past year. (I keep telling myself that that worrying thing is totally useless… Hard habit to break.)
    Brenda

    Reply

  39. Happy Birthday to you…

    Happy Birthday to you…

    Happy Birthday, Dear Claudia…

    Happy Birthday to YOU!

    I hope you have a very happy birthday and an evern happier year to come! I love your resolution, Claudia, and I could not agree more. I think it is excellent advice that we could all stand to heed.

    And on this special day, I want to thank you for being my friend. I truly appreciate your friendship and the sweet words you left on Eddie’s blog. I’m so happy that I have gotten to know you through blogging, and maybe some day we can finally meet and have a cup of tea (or go shopping!). I would love that so.

    Sending all the love in my heart your way…

    XOXOXO,

    Sheila :-)

    Reply

  42. Happy Birthday Claudia. We have never met, but I feel that I relate to so much of what you say. I hope you had a wonderful day and that the year ahead holds much well-deserved happiness for you and your family.

    Love, love, love the charm bracelet! You are in good birthday company, my dad’s is tomorrow and he would have been 92. I was hoping to see Letitia dressed up in birthday hat and party dress! Hope you had a great day. Ann

    Reply

  44. Happy, happy birthday!! The years since high school have also zipped by for me but the memories feel like it all happened last week. Hope you’re enjoying cake & ice cream today :-)

    Reply

  47. Happy Birthday Claudia!

    You have inspired me to find my charm bracelet from high school as well.

    I hope you have a blessed Thanksgiving week!

    Laura
    White Spray Paint

    Reply

  49. Belated greetings on another fabulous Birthday. I had one last month, boy do they come around quickly now!!

    Lovely, insightful post Claudia – I so agree with all you mentioned, especially take more risks! I think we are both ready to enjoy another fabulous year and age will never stop us as we adventure!

    Many happy returns dear.

    Reply

  51. Oh, crumb. I’m so sorry I’m late wishing you a most Happy Birthday, Claudia!! It’s been a wild few days. Such beautiful thoughts on age and time. Thank you for sharing them. xo – g

    Reply
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