thankful thursday birthday edition

I'm thankful for birthdays! They remind me of how many people are in my life. I got up to over 200 emails in my inbox this morning. That's just crazy!

I'm thankful that I've lived 42 years without ever getting a ticket, being at fault in an accident or going to jail.

I'm thankful that I've lived 42 years with all four limbs. A childhood friend of Ryan's just lost his leg in a motorcycle accident. He is 23.

I'm thankful that I've never had any major "cut from stem to stern" surgery. A couple of minor outpatient deals but nothing with my guts hanging out.

I'm thankful that I had my kids when I was young. I can't imagine having a baby at this stage of life. Yes, I compromised some other things to raise kids when I was young but it's a blessing now to have three (nearly) grown men who are on my team.

I'm thankful that I don't look my age. Yes, that's vain. I don't care. Living here in the country I see people who are my age who look twenty years older. I don't know if it's hard living or improper hygiene or what. I just got lucky. I have good genes.

I'm thankful to live in the time that I live. I'm thankful that we have the ability to reach out to people on the other side of the world. I'm thankful that we can travel long distances easily. I'm thankful for the knowledge that is easily available to us.

I'm thankful for every gray hair, every wrinkle, every scar. I've earned them. I'm not embarassed by them. I'm proud to have had the time I've had on earth, to have loved and hurt and experienced things that allowed me to grow.

I'm thankful to know what I know... to have been exposed to sports, arts, religion, politics... I'm grateful for everything that I have been exposed to in my life. I know enough to be comfortable in just about any environment. I'm not out of place in the nicest restaurant but I'm not too good to sit down at a picnic table outside of a roadside bbq stand.

I'm thankful to have loved and been loved. There have been heartaches and heartbreaks along the way but there's also a huge treasure chest of memories of diverse people along the way with whom I've shared a glass of wine... a cup of coffee... a vacation... a passionate embrace... a prayer... a tear... a great ballgame... an amazing play... an off key karaoke song... a big bowl of homemade cream cheese icing... a glass of lemonade on a rocking chair front porch... a guitar playing old hymns on a front porch... a plane ride... a butterfly chase... a carpet picnic... a hotel picnic... a Starbucks fruit and cheese platter... a walk through a cemetary... a revelation at the altar... a gravy biscuit... a great movie... I am so blessed.

I may not have traveled the world and I may have not yet found a forever love. I may not be the size I want to be and I might not have a fabulous home. But I have lived and I have loved and I am thankful to be who I am, all 42 years of me.

love and hugs, y'all!