Tags
birthday, Cloudgate, gratitude, Jane Pauley, retirement, The Bean, turing 72
Six hours ago, I turned seventy-two, so I am planning a long-weekend Gratitude Party.
I will start my seventy-third year by hearing Jane Pauley talk about her new book, Your Life Calling: Re-imagining The Rest of Your Life , at a luncheon at the Union League Club. An appropriate title for a birthday celebration, agree?
Soon after I get home, my son and daughter-in-law will arrive from O’Hare. They are flying in for “mom’s” long-weekend party. They are the parents of my three young-adult grandkids.
My daughter, also living out-of-town, added money to my Caribou Coffee gift card. She knows I hang out at Caribou to write, so she keeps me supplied with Northern Lite Caramel Decafs, Medium. She and my son-in-law are the parents of my two toddler grandkids.
My husband, as always, gifts me everyday as he buys our groceries, makes me dinner, scrubs the floors, washes the cars, pays the bills… You get the picture. He will have a meal off when we celebrate this weekend at my favorite steak place, Gibsons on Rush.
After a month on Lyrica, I’m thankful that my year-long sensations of itching are a tad better. I’m relieved, at last, to know these pain-producing “pins and needles” are caused by hypersensitive nerve endings related to my having fibromyalgia.
I’m also thankful, after a forty-year nursing career, that I’m able to enjoy the freedom of retirement. I have been blessed with seventy-two years of a life full of (mostly) good things. And given grace to endure the not-so-good things.
I’m grateful that readers like you stop in to see what I have to say. I pray your weekend holds a reason or more for you to have a gratitude party too. If your party happens to include a stop at the Bean in Chicago’s Millennium Park, I’ll wave to you from my window!
The Bean (Cloudgate) at Millennium Park, Chicago
I leave you with my favorite verse: I hope it brings you as much solace as it does me:
You’re blessed when you’re content with just who you are–no more, no less. That’s the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can’t be bought.
Source: Matthew 5 in The Message
Write Along with Me 
Lois:
What a lovely post. Yes, contentment is a gift to posses. And hopefully you are on the road toward less “pins and needles” sensations.
I wish you good health and many more birthdays, good friend.
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Thank you so much. We’ve been through a lot of good times together, and I’m looking forward to more.
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Happy birthday! I also turn 72 this year. It’s a good age! Best wishes, my friend.
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Thanks, Gary. May we age gracefully and intelligently aka UC lectures and classes!
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Wishing you many birthday blessings today and in the next year! Have a great Gratitude weekend! Happy Birthday!
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Thanks, Mina. It’s been a LONG time since we shared our wedding dress!
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Happy Birthday, Lois. I am finding that every year I am celebrating with more joy – this year will be the 70th celebration and our 50th anniversary. Reasons to have a “raise the roof” celebration. I’m so happy that Lyrica is working for you. I take it, hate being on it, but also would fight anyone who tried to stop the supply. Same with Cymbalta. I remember not being able to wear most of my slacks because they felt like they were covered with needles. Thanks for sharing the great verse at the end.
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Pat, Thank you for all your affirming words.I know exactly what you mean about your needle-filled slacks. I never know what I can wear. One day something will work, the next day not. So it’s certainly is great to be retired and not have to dress up every day. Congratulations on 50! With today’s, divorce rate, that’s a milestone that deserves fireworks. We’re now working toward 52.
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I can remember changing clothes 3 or 4 times before I could find something I could stand to work in for the day. My employer wouldn’t have appreciated it if I would have had to strip in the middle of a meeting. 😀 I can laugh about it now but that was such a difficult time. Retirment has helped a whole lot.
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I understand the word “difficult”! May we persevere!
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