In Which I Turn 43

This morning, as I peeked my head into the kids’ rooms before leaving for work, Madeline cracked one eye open and motioned me over to her bed. She sat up and threw her little arms around my neck.

“Happy Birthday, Mama!”

Oh thank you! I was so impressed she remembered on her own, from one day to the next, because, you know, five year old minds. All.over.the.place.

Last night, as I was brushing my teeth and she was stalling on bed time, she asked how old I was.

“I know! 22!”

I laughed and said no.

“22 is young right? You look young. You look great. Whatever old you are.”

22, or some anniversary of it, works too.

This morning, Madeline presented me with her jewelry box, the top of which she had handwritten a note to me. Inside was another note, a bracelet (courtesy of her grandmother’s shopping), three single dollar bills, and a handful of coins.

All for me.

At first, she wouldn’t hear of me not accepting the money. Or her jewelry box. But we settled on the note, the coins, and the bracelet. And luckily she was ok with that. She is a child who would give you the clothes on her back. She has such a huge heart, and it’s on display each and every day.

Nick also gave me a bracelet and a card as well. They did extra chores today without me asking, planned a take-out order of dinner, and went to bed without fussing. Perfection.

So much has happened in the last year.

And sometimes, nothing happened and so much is the same.

Good stuff, bad stuff, and everything in between stuff. And when there is a birthday or holiday or new year or just an ordinary Wednesday, it’s always good to sit back, close your eyes for a minute and just reflect. Reflect on it all. Where you are, where you’ve been, where you’re going, and where you want to be going.

The past twelve months have been pretty darn good to us. Sure, there are things I’d change, or refine, but the bottom line? Life is pretty wonderful.

I had paragraphs and paragraphs of other stuff written here originally, but I scrapped it all. It’s good to go back to basics. This past year has been much of continuing to focus on positivity and keeping the door closed to toxicity. Which, I do believe, is the key to happiness. Choose joy, always.

I am the luckiest because I get to wake up with these two little faces every day who call me Mom. Who rely on me. Who need me. Who want me. Who love me. And I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Add to that a fantastic little village of family and friends, and, well, life is grand.

In short, 42 has been a pretty amazing ride. I like the place I’m in. And, most of all? I love the people I share it with.

And when you have that? Everything else is just a bonus.