This past Monday I turned 52!

Today my sweet husband had a party for me. It seems I frequently find myself celebrating my birthday on this date, October 22…

I have a cousin whose birthday is the day before mine so I try not to have my birthday celebration on his day, although there have been a few times I’ve messed that up…he’s forgiven me…at least I’m pretty sure he has 😉

I love to celebrate my birthday with my family and sometimes we’ll add a few friends, just depends on how much time we have to plan.

This year my birthday falls in the middle of a really contentious contract negotiation with my teachers union and so there is some underlying stress about whether or not we are going out on strike…so it was a small gathering of my cousins and my aunts 🙂 I almost canceled it at the last minute but I so wanted to see my new baby cousin, Baby Henry, such a cutie!

I love them all. They each have their unique personalities and I love talking with them and visiting. I love seeing my God-Children and I love that I still get to see my first cousins and now their kids 🙂

I love my family.

I love having my birthday as an excuse to see my family.

I don’t know if I will love 52. I mean so far it’s ok, as long as I resist the urge to try to predict the future and what might be coming my way…

Jesus said, “Do not be afraid.
You are worth more than many sparrows.” I try to remember this when I get frustrated about how much weight I’ve gained, how slow I run now or the little aches and pains I feel here and there. St. Paul said, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us and persevere in running the race that lies before us”

So today…for birthdays…I Give Thanks!

We ran 4 miles yesterday out at the park, nice run, felt good, still rebuilding…two steps forward, one step back as they say…

KOR