Oh No! Another Birthday!

Yes, it's my birthday today... 54 years young! :) And would you believe that I woke up with a pounding sinus headache and earache and had to stay home from work?! For me, calling in to work sick is almost worse than being sick! Seriously, I'm rarely sick. But, today I stayed home and I slept the morning away... and feel somewhat better now, thankfully. :) It helped that I received a call from the florist saying they had a delivery for me. Look at these beautiful plants with the smiley balloons. I just had to take a photo and show them off. The guys I work with are awesome and so very thoughtful!

You'll also notice all the fabulous cards I've received, mostly from my sweet friends at the Stamp Shack. Each one is so special and a true work of art and I'm very grateful they took the time to send them to me. It reminds me that I need to do the same, because I haven't been good about this lately. Sometimes, life just gets in the way of us doing the things we know we should do.

A couple days ago, I received an email from a friend who knew my birthday was coming up. I think it's a keeper and want to share it with you. I don't know the original auther or I would give credit. It's one I can relate to and thought you may enjoy it too.

Thanks so much for stopping by! I'm hoping to feel better and have time to create something blog-worthy for you this weekend.

In the meantime, happy stamping & smiles 2 U all! ~ Pam :)

{the following is from an email I received}

~ OLD AGE IS A GIFT ~
The other day a young person asked me how I felt about being old. I was taken aback, for I do not think of myself as old. Upon seeing my reaction, she was immediately embarrassed, but I explained that it was an interesting question, and I would ponder it, and let her know. Old Age, I decided, is a gift.

I am now, probably for the first time in my life, the person I have always wanted to be. Oh, not my body! I sometime despair over my body, the wrinkles, the baggy eyes, and the sagging butt. And often I am taken aback by that old person that lives in my mirror (who looks like my mother!), but I don't agonize over those things for long. I would never trade my amazing friends, my wonderful life, my loving family for less gray hair or a flatter belly.

As I've aged, I've become more kind to myself, and less critical of myself. I've become my own friend. I don't chide myself for eating that extra cookie, or for not making my bed, or for buying that silly cement gecko that I didn't need, but looks so avante garde on my patio. I am entitled to a treat, to be messy, to be extravagant.

I have seen too many dear friends leave this world too soon; before they understood the great freedom that comes with aging. Whose business is it if I choose to read or play on the computer until 4 AM and sleep until noon?I will dance with myself to those wonderful tunes of the 60 & 70's, and if I, at the same time, wish to weep over a lost love .. I will.

I will walk the beach in a swim suit that is stretched over a bulging body, and will dive into the waves with abandon if I choose to, despite the pitying glances from the jet set. They, too, will get old.

I know I am sometimes forgetful. But there again, some of life is just as well forgotten. And I eventually remember the important things. Sure, over the years my heart has been broken. How can your heart not break when you lose a loved one, or when a child suffers, or even when somebody's beloved pet gets hit by a car? But broken hearts are what give us strength and understanding and compassion. A heart never broken is pristine and sterile and will never know the joy of being imperfect.

I am so blessed to have lived long enough to have my hair turning gray, and to have my youthful laughs be forever etched into deep grooves on my face. So many have never laughed, and so many have died before their hair could turn silver. As you get older, it is easier to be positive. You care less about what other people think. I don't question myself anymore. I've even earned the right to be wrong.

So, to answer your question, I like being old. It has set me free. I like the person I have become. I am not going to live forever, but while I am still here, I will not waste time lamenting what could have been, or worrying about what will be. And I shall eat dessert every single day, if I feel like it! :)

MAY YOU ALWAYS HAVE A RAINBOW OF SMILES ON YOUR FACE AND IN YOUR HEART! :)