A quiet birthday

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for a quiet birthday #57.

It's been a tough year, personally, especially with my dad's death 10 months ago and T's declining health.  Despite my daily struggles, I am still here, writing, working hard, climbing well, cooking interesting dishes, planning this year's garden and trying to make another small dent in the Universe. I know that I am well past my half-life, unless, of course, I live to 114.

I'm on vacation today and celebrate my birthday in small ways - it's inappropriate to call attention to myself especially with everything that's going on in the world. A chilly morning walk in the park with T (one very, very slow lap), a haircut, a birthday card from my work colleagues with a really nice note from our CEO, a new tube of Gabrielle black mascara and a hard but exhilarating training session with S at the climbing gym. I wish I were in France but will settle with chatting with Fasten, the delightful foreign-exchange student from Paris who is on the gym's high school climbing team.

All in all, a quiet but favorable start to my 58th year.

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

A remembrance

Dear God:

Today I am thankful for a remembrance.

I last saw my dad exactly one year ago. I returned to Manhattan Beach for my parent's 60th wedding anniversary celebration at Matisse restaurant.

I remember a lot of things about that evening - what I wore, what we ate, who attended - that Mom and Dad were happy to see me. Most importantly, I remember, that for whatever reason, I had the privilege of sitting next to Dad during dinner.

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.