It's My Birthday!

Today's my birthday, and so my personal odometer makes one more click. Actually, we don't get a year older on our birth date, just a day older. Still, for some, this day can be a day not of joy but of gloom.

In my parent's house is a sign on the fridge: "Getting Old Isn't For Sissies." Indeed. It's no fun when more hair is growing out of your ear than on year head and what hair that remains is the color of
cobwebs. But with the passage of years comes maybe not exactly wisdom but at least the perspective that the good and the bad experiences of our life are both necessary and enriching.

I recently connected with someone I knew from my high school years in Bucks County Pennsylvania 34 years ago. It was good to exchange the story of each of our life's journey. It seems that everyone must traverse the valley of personal and professional reversals before ascending to the heights. From this pilgrimage come wellsprings of understanding, contentment, and fulfillment. I ended my e-mail thread to him noting that "Strange how life knocks you around but still gives you ample reason to look back on life with tremendous satisfaction. It's all part of the package."

So, on this day when I blow out yet one more candle, I do so happily and gratefully.

Life is good.