Birthday Reflections

Does anyone else get thoughtful on their birthday, or is that a sign I am getting old? Just like on New Year’s, I tend to look back upon the last year and look forward to the next. And yes! I always look forward to the next! So far all my appendages remain attached. No major aches, pains, or medical issues which is a good sign if I truly intend to live vibrantly until 110.

Firstly I count my blessings, and there are so many between my amazing husband, my three incredible kids and their partners, my four fur babies, my family (brothers, sisters, mother, inlaws, aunts, and cousins) and just my life! I am so grateful for every day.

And I am grateful for being able to write. I loved being a teacher and still love training dogs, but something about writing truly feeds my soul. The other two professions require a lot of energy output. Somehow writing fulfills me,…my very being. I feel as if all the years teaching and training have given me the key pieces I need to finally fulfill my life purpose.

And of course, we have many purposes. Being a mother, a wife, teacher, a trainer…all of these have given me purpose. So what is it about writing that is just somehow different for me? Perhaps the hope that once I am gone my words will live on and continue to help and to entertain?

Perhaps. Once I count my blessings, I set my goals. So what do I want to manifest within the next year?

• Finding the correct agent.

• Getting at least one book deal.

• Deciding where my husband and I will live (I can’t say “retire” because I doubt either of us will stop producing/creating. Just not how we are wired.) However it would be lovely if John did not have to get up at 3 AM everyday to commute for a 10 hour work day. We could then collaborate more, and he could take more pictures which feeds his soul.

  Check back! I’ll update you. Looking forward to it all! Happy Birthday to me:)