Friday, February 5, 2010

Immensely Grateful at 56

Birthday Thoughts at 56.


i can learn new things. i married the right person 35 years ago. i must have been a good mother. i am never to old to learn anything, just not bridge. i can still surprise myself at times. i know myself better than i like to admit. vanity doesn't go away with age, but jealously thankfully does. a passion gives you purpose. i admire creative women. i need less clothes, but more pajamas. the older i get the better i listen to others. the empty nest can be a reward. i wish i had bought google and apple stock when i said i was going to. i believe my horoscope everyday. time does go faster the older you get. be wary of friends who never pat you on the back for anything. nobody get a big head from too many compliments. smile at everyone, they always smile back. i am in awe of sunsets. you need less things but more time. my son had taught me more than i have taught him. i love to laugh hard. i adore funny people. i am a loyal person. i miss my mother and my sister. i like to know the story behind the person. i am tired of dieting. I admire kindness in a person. i love new technology. i love HBO. i like my music loud. i love cycling outdoors. i could live on ice cream and toasted nuts. i listen to oprah more than i should. i need to listen to dr. oz more. i am immensely grateful. i am 56.

53 comments:

  1. You are such an inspiration!!! So well said. I, on the other hand, get overwhelmed and terribly depressed on birthdays...ever since the age of 30...I rather look at life as a continuum without the yearly countdown. I will keep reading your beautiful words...in preparation of my birthday to come (i have a few months..)

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  2. Happy Birthday! This is a lovely post!

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  3. Bless your heart that is a beautiful Post and I would like to re-post it for a loved one. My sister's birthday is today too you are in good company!
    Happy Birthday to you!

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  4. Happy birthday (I think) Sande...You and I almost share a birthday and I most definitely share your sentiments. Fabulous post, xxv

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  5. Oh happy birthday to you dear Sande !! Your words make me smile, inspire me...I wish you a most wonderful day and an amazing sunset to watch at tonight with lots of bubbly and ice cream!!
    xoxo

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  6. What a wonderful post for your birthday. I am not far behind you and I love, love, love your list. You are a wise woman! ;D

    Suzanne

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  7. Happy Happy Birthday Sande
    You have some fabulous points of interest here.. Being loyal and wary of friends that don't pat you on the back .. so true... but I can most relate to needing more pyjamas than clothes.. ha ha fabulous post!! Hope your day is full of wonderful surprises!! all wrapped to perfection of course! x Julie

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  8. Happy Birthday to you! What a touching and insightful post - you are truly amazing, and these are clearly reflections on a life well-lived. If I had to add anything to this list - I would add that you are gracious and kind, and an inspiration. I hope this year brings you joy, health, happiness and success.

    Best,
    Stephanie

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  9. Sounds like a life well lived so far! I hope you have a wonderful day and a very very happy birthday!

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  10. Happy Birthday, At 56 I think you "get it" as I like to say. Life is more go with the flo isn't it? It will only get better as you go along with your wonderful outlook. It is obvious you have a passion in what you do because you look at even the smallest detail and that is what makes you great at what you do, that was a virtual pat on the back, Kathysue

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  11. Love your list!
    Wishing you the happiest of birthdays!

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  12. Sande I think everything you just said is wonderful and so true. I am not that far behind you and everything you said just made me smile...even the pajamas...what is it with pajamas?..all of a sudden they are so so important! As always, your post is lovely and inspiring. Your passion gives you a wonderful purpose and we are all very lucky for it.
    Best wishes for a glorious birthday!

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  13. Happy Birthday! Isn't it a shame we didn't know all we know now, when we were 26? :)

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  14. Happy Birthday Sande! What a beautiful post...something to really think about...so true what you said. Have a great day and great year ahead!

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  15. Happiest of happy birthdays to you!...Loved reading your list, especially the part about needing more pajamas and less clothing! Right on!

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  16. Sande, Poignant thoughts. Yes, it is never too late to learn and grow. We can make our passions come to life! happy Birthday!
    Karena

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  17. Happy Birthday to a beautiful woman, inside AND out! You are such a bright spot and deserve a very special day. Here's to the next 56! xo

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  18. A BIG hug and BIG Birthday wish to you Sande! This post was so much fun to read. You had me cracking up when you said you need more PJ's & less clothes. :-)) It's so nice to pamper yourself and get something you really need. I hope have a beautiful start to your 56th year here on earth. Best wishes alyways~
    Noel

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  19. Happy Birthday. I love reading your blog you are an inspiration. Hope you will continue blogging and being an inspiration to your readers for many more years
    Firoozeh

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  20. Happy, happy Birthday! Counting your blessings is a wonderful thing to do on your birthday - you have inspired me to do the same thing when I turn 56 next month.

    You know, wouldn't it also be wonderful to teach our children to not make a wish before blowing out their candles on the cake....but to say how they are blessed instead. Hmmmm - I'll try to remember to do that, too next month. ("remember" being the operative word here.) lol

    -shirl

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  21. What a lovely post (and a beautiful blog). Happy Birthday.

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  22. Oh, my dear friend Sande,
    The happiest of birthdays to you and many happy returns. As I am a similar age (for similar age, read OLDER !!), I can relate to many of the things that you said. Getting older certainly has its pluses.
    Have the most wonderful day and enjoy every minute.With much love. XXXX

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  23. Sande, amazing how wise we become isn't it? If only our chrildren believed it (& everyone younger). May I quote you? PJ's forever...this is absolutely so delightful & so true for me. Also the clothes...& as I've always been a fashionista this surprises me, happily. Happy Birthday, darling one, Marsha

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  24. Happy Birthday! As for the thoughts, we share many of the same sentiments.
    Enjoy your own personal New Year; may it be filled with joy.

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  25. I'm just a year behind you and your list really rings true for me as well. I also married the right person 35 years ago:) Happy Birthday!

    Sue

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  26. Best wishes to you! May you have another 56 years as well.

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  27. What a beautiful post!You brought tears to my eyes, but in a good way! Have a wonderful, family filled birthday! :)

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  28. Huge congratulations my darling!It has been great knowing what makes you tick!There is so much we have in common, I wish you lived in my neighbourhood I'm sure we would be great friends! You are a phenomenal woman and I love visiting your blog! Sharon xx

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  29. Happy Birthday Sande! Lovely to read your birthday thoughts!
    Bonne week-end!

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  30. Very well put and Happy Birthday to you! I find you to be an inspiration with flawless taste!

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  31. And what I know is that you are an incredibly talented, generous, beautiful soul! Happiest of birthday wishes to you dear Sande! My hope is that you are surrounded by all the things you love most and indulge in as much ice cream you want on your special day!
    Bises,
    Melissa

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  32. Dear Sande, As you unwrap the life's gifts, may they be as beautiful and full of delightful surprises as your gifts have been to so many people! Happy Birthday.

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  33. Bon Anniversaire, my friend.
    I always enjoy reading what you have to say. Thank you for sharing what you have learned in your 56 years of a beautiful life.
    Something you wrote struck a chord in me that I've been struggling to put into words- about friends that can't/won't pat you on the back. In the last several years I have had a very close friend do this to me, and it hurts everytime something good happens in my life because she refuses to acknowledge it. I am relieved to know that I am not the only person who has experienced this.
    Back to your birthday, I wish you a very happy 56th year with your husband, sons, family, friends, and your business.

    Mandy

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  34. Sande,
    I hope that you have a Wonderful Birthday! Time may go by faster (I'm 55), but it certainly is better. Well, as long as I don't have to move fast, lol! Have a great day!
    Teresa

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  35. Happy Birthday Sande! What a beautiful post, I hope that you have a truly magical birthday, you deserve it after sharing so much beauty with everyone else!
    Nathalie

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  36. And you are wise and wonderful! A very, very Happy Birthday to you Sande. I wish you all your heart desires. (And I love that you like your music loud. You rock!)

    Catherine

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  37. Sweetheart you are an inspiration. I so loved your words (I truly mean that) I think you are the best. You are yourself, honest and gorgeous. Happy Happy Birthday Sande...love D

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  38. Happy Birthday!!! All the best and many wonderful years to come.

    Love your b-day post and your blog.

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  39. Beautifully, said and @ 52 I am so glad that I understand what you said! I thoroughly enjoy your beautiful blog. Happy birthday!

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  40. Happy Happy Birthday... Beautiful One!
    Your sentiments truly touched me. So much wisdom and truth. I too feel the same things as I'm not too far behind you :)
    I love how you're not afraid to state your age and show your depth. It's a beautiful thing. Every age is special and the more years you are blessed with, the more special they are.
    May God continue to shower his blessings upon you!
    Congratulations on making 56 so AMAZING.
    XOX
    Terri

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  41. Happy Birthday Sande,
    What a beautiful post. You gave us a gift for your birthday by writing this. It is beautiful. I hope you have a very special Bday and my bery best to you!
    xoxo
    Judith~

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  42. Joyeux anniversaire ! Kises from France !
    Have a wonderful birthday !

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  43. ... and you are beautiful through and through ...
    ... 56 and forevermore ...
    may your day today and all days be lovely in every way ...
    your words are perfect ... absolutely perfect ... i nodded at each and every thought ...
    cheers and a huge hug to you, sande ~
    happy birthday,
    xo
    prairiegirl
    xo

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  44. Sande,
    You are a wonderful, warm & friendly woman. You make life after 50 look pretty nifty!
    Happy happy birthday dear friend.
    xoxo Lisa

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  45. Sande truly the best birthday post I've read in a long time if ever. Wise words for us all and from a woman we all truly admire. I celebrated my 53rd birthday in December & it was a tough time as it was my first birthday that my mom was not able to call me. I should of sat down and written such things that I 'was' grateful for instead of thinking of all the sadness.
    Thank you Sande, you have given me much to think about. Happy..Happy Birthday to you my dear x

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  46. Happy Birthday, Sande!
    I really enjoyed reading this insightful post. I read it several times, in fact! Very wise words to ponder.
    You are an amazing person.
    All best wishes for you!!!
    xoxo ~ Dana

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  47. Happy Birthday Youuuuu!!!

    How have I missed this very special post?

    To me, your lace and fineness, your beauty and elegance~~ You are everything to me Sande and even more beautiful to me with all you just shared.

    I pray that in this 56th year of your life we will meet because sometimes I think we are sisters that were separated somewhere, somehow and sometime long ago.

    Happy Birthday my Beautiful Sande Chase!

    XOXO's
    Biggest & Bigger Hugs,
    Janet

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  48. p.s. There is something about this birthday cake that is making me really want cake & icecream with you right now! I keep looking at it wishing it was real~

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  49. Dearest Sande,
    I'm sorry I missed wishing you a HAPPY BIRTHDAY on the day of... I hope it was wonderful beyond measure. May you have a year filled with joy and beauty, just as you bring joy to all of us with each post you write.
    Sending you love and 56 hugs!

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  50. Love your list! I too listen to Oprah a bit too much sometimes but what the hell... hope you had a wonderful birthday!

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  51. Happy Birthday my dear! We are a year apart in age and I must say it really is OK. Still looking good and feeling good and ready to go.
    I wish for you the best year ever.
    I adore your blog and thought I wrapped a beautiful gift till I saw yours. You are amazing!
    ~ ~Ahrisha~ ~

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  52. Happiest ( belated ) birthday to you !!! You put to words the direction I am at or heading so beautifully ! How much of that is Aquarian and how much is just getting wiser ? Your amazing gift for expression comes in many forms ! Hope you had a wonderful day !

    lisa

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Your comments are such a lovely addition to my day. Thank you.