Monday, December 10, 2007

So, another birthday today...



It's hard to believe another year has come and gone, and I'm celebrating another birthday today!

This past year was quite an eventful one for me. On January 31st, I became a grandmother. Little Payton has revolutionized my life! The sad part is that I've only gotten to see him four times so far, but you can bet I made the most of every minute I was able to spend with him. I'm crazy about that little boy, and I love being a grandma. As my mother has said, "It adds a whole new dimension of love to your life." She's so right.

In September I was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. What seemed like an upsetting and depressing turn of events actually became a blessing in disguise. I am now eating more healthily than I ever have in my life, and exercising on a much more consistent and committed basis than I ever have. Diabetes finally gave me the motivation I've always needed to stick with a healthy eating and exercise plan, and I actually feel better than ever.

There are several things that tell me that I'm not young any more...little things that I won't go into, because if you're my age, you've noticed them in yourself too...and if you're younger, you don't have to worry about that yet.

But there are many ways in which I really do feel that "I'm not getting older, I'm getting better"! That's my story and I'm sticking to it, anyway. (smile)

Doug and I got a Christmas letter from a friend who talked eloquently about finding the beauty in life. She talked about finding beauty on her morning walks...beauty in her mother's aged hands and her father-in-law's zest for living...beauty in her husband's joyful praise-singing. She ended her letter with the admonition, "In 2008,look for the beauty!"

I love that! With so many ugly things going on in the world--the senseless shootings, the poverty, the disease, the scary presidential elections--there is still beauty everywhere. There can even be beauty in me, even as I add another (figurative) candle to my birthday cake. (Yeah, that really is figurative, because I won't be eating cake today, and if I did, that many candles would probably end up with a call to the fire department!)

But seriously. I will look for the beauty this year, and if I look, I know I'll find it.

14 comments:

Juliet said...

Happy Birthday to you!!! You'll always be much younger then me.:o)
Love, Juliet

Randy Spradlin said...
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Randy Spradlin said...
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Barbara H. said...

A very happy birthday to you! I'm following close on your heels -- I'll be 51 in August. I know what you mean about those telltale signs of aging. :-)

BTW, I have a blog award for you here. :-)

Barbara H. @ Stray Thoughts

Randy Spradlin said...
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Randy Spradlin said...

Cindy,

A very happy birthday to you my friend! I hope it was special.

Like you, I understand what you mean about things changing. I notice it more each day. It would be nice if we could always look like we did in our twenties and thirties, but God is still good.

Again, I hope your birthday was a blast!

Be well my friend,

Randy

Karla Porter Archer said...

HAPPY HAPPY birthday.

Somehow i missed that your grandbaby has the same birthday as one of my babies.

Blessings,
K

Ashley said...

I hope you had a wonderful birthday, Cindy! As always, I really enjoyed reading your reflections of the past year. Thanks for sharing.

Julee Ann said...

God bless you real good this year. Happy birthday.

Kay Day said...

Happy, Happy Birthday!!

Anonymous said...

I'm sorry - I missed your birthday. Hope you had a wonderful day!

Jen said...

Oh dear, it's late, but happy birthday, Cindy! I hope it was wonderful and that this year is full of little instances when God reveals His love for you.

Ann-Marie said...

Cindy - I feel like I see you everyday, and I wish I did so I could say...Happy Birthday to you in person!

Talk..to..Grams said...

Oh My,I missed your Birthday!! I hope it was a good one!! I am so sorry!! Love and hugs, Grams

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