Good morning, dear ones! I’m basking in the glow of a beautiful Thanksgiving with my folks and the few brave friends who managed to make it to their house through the snow storm. We had a wonderful day as the snow continued to fall, blanketing everything in sight. Delicious food, good wine, and the antics of a very active three-year old to entertain us made it perfect.
After our lavish dining, we donned coats and hats and headed out into the snow to introduce my friend’s daughter Allison to the wonder of cows in the barn. They were thrilled to have company, jostling for position near the gate to peer at us and lick anything they could reach. They’re lovely things and Allison was delighted. Our trek left us with soaked pant legs and rosy cheeks and we were happy to get back inside sipping hot cups of tea by the Christmas tree, nibbling on butter tarts and Nanaimo bars.
Tomorrow morning I’ll be on the road to Seattle, ready to hug my brother so tight when he gets off the plane from Amsterdam. Then we’ll head to Port Orchard for even more hugs from siblings and cousins. I’m so excited to see those dear folks, to laugh myself to tears, eat great food, and play rousing games of Poleconomy – which is a cousin-ly tradition. 🙂
Tomorrow is also my birthday. I’ll be a whopping 36 years old and that makes me smile. I wouldn’t trade places with my younger self for anything. 🙂 I know you’re not supposed to like getting older, but I like it very much. Age and time are such lovely things for smoothing rough edges, dulling past pains, and strengthening the good things in our hearts. Here are a few things I’m grateful for as I turn 36:
- I am loved. Truly loved. No more abuse or neglect, just love from dear, amazing people who make me glad to be alive every day.
- I am free. I am no longer in bondage to abusive people or false teachers or those who would seek to crush me. I. Am. Free. 🙂
- I am stronger. I can now spot bad people a mile away and know how to protect myself.
- I am wiser. I’ve learned to think for myself, to question, examine, test and hold fast only to those things I know to be good and kind.
- I am braver. Things and people that used to terrify me have shrunk down to manageable size. I now know they have no power over me unless I give it to them.
- I love myself more. Some rather dreadful people in my youth taught me that everyone was more important than me, I was only worth of hell and damnation, that there was nothing good in me. What a lot of hogwash! Now I know that I matter, I am worthy, and there is much good in me. The best part is that as I accept, forgive, and love myself, I find my heart simply bursting to extend that same acceptance, forgiveness and love to others. That is the best feeling in the world.
Getting older isn’t so bad after all.
I’m also thankful for snow for my birthday!
What are some things you’ve learned as you’ve gotten older?
Love your pictures! You have such a photo talent…
Have a very Happy Birthday xxx
As I have got older I have learnt to be so much more grateful for health, happiness and the glory of nature.
Some days it takes a little nudge to remind us but we have so much to thankful for Krista. I am so glad you are surrounded by those you love this holiday season. Having the tree up so soon though makes my Canadian blood squirm just a little since Thanksgiving was in October and the holidays are at Christmas. It just reminds me that it is getting closer at every turn of the calendar:D I love the holidays.
Thank you so much, William! 🙂 I’m so glad you like them. 🙂
Thank you, dear Lindy Lou! I love your lesson. 🙂 Gratefulness! Yes, that is a wonderful thing. 🙂
I know what you mean, Val. I need those nudges too. Yeah, we’re early birds for Christmas in my family. Love stretching out the decorations and celebrations for as long as possible. 🙂
Happy Birthday Dear One!!! All praise for Glorious Grace and Mercy and Hope in the One that cherishes us. Love and prayers for a sweet weekend follow you.
Thank you SO much, Marie!! 🙂 Your love and friendship are so dear to me. 🙂
Lovely post, Tart. “smoothing rough edges” that’s got to be the wisest thing I’ve heard regarding age. Happy birthday!
Thank you, Tracy. 🙂 It’s a lovely thing to look back and see that the not-so-lovely aspects of my personality and character are so much better than they used to be. 🙂
Happiest Birthday dearest daughter! May your day be full of lovely surprises and pleasant comforts and those you love! Beautiful snowy pictures!
Happy Birthday! Feliz cumpleaños! Tanti auguri!
Have a wonderful day celebrating your birhtday Krista, and may all your wishes come true (I think lots of those are coming true already, yes!?).
One thing I’ve learned is that I can choose who I want in my life: I spend time with people that make me happy and contribute something to my life, and I’m allowed to NOT want to be around negative people, it’s my choice! 🙂
Thank you, Mums!! 🙂 I think it will be. 🙂 So glad you like the snow pics. 🙂
Thank you so much, Zorymar!! You’re absolutely right – some amazing dreams are coming true. 🙂 I love what you have learned and am so happy that you have such good people in your life. 🙂
Happy birthday dear Krista. I love that your free and happy and 36 yrs of age are your super sexy siren years….. or so my momma says 😉
This made me smile and I hope your day is absolutely fantastic. I’m so glad you have snow, loved the pictures. Freedom, beauty and strength…beautiful gifts. =)
Happy Birthday!
Happy birthday!! … and I can’t believe you have snow. I’m so not ready for that yet. lol
I’m enjoying getting older, I’m much more confident than when I was younger. The things I could have just done if I hadn’t been too afraid to do or ask!
Crumbs I forgot to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! Hope you had a lovely day!
Happy Birthday Krista! Life is an amazing journey. Thirty-six years old, is a great age. Enjoy it!!!
Cheers!
Velva
Happy Birthday to you; you are a wonderful and warm and lovely person and you are right, getting older can be great, depending on life’s circumstances of course; love these snow filled pictures, they make me dream.
Happy Thkgiving too!
Happy Birthday Krista!!!!! You HAVE made the snow look like just another part of the celebrations. I just read an interview with Douglas Coupland who’s from roughly your part of the world and he assures us that since at 32, our brain is making its “final cortical hookups” we are likely to consequently feel 32 for all of the rest of our lives. Works for me! So you know, only 36 on paper! So glad that you are on THIS side of those awful experiences and that you have many more years of much better ones ahead of you. Big Hugs and Birthday Cheers! Travel safe!
Oh Krista, have a wonderful birthday!! What an amazing post 🙂 You do have so much to be thankful for & you are an incredible woman 🙂
Plus, 36 ain’t so bad after all – that’s my age, lol!
Thanks for sharing all you do & creating beauty for us all…Have a very Happy Birthday my dear!
Happy Birthday Krista! I love your list and you are so loved, I can tell that 😀
Your photos are beautiful. There’s nothing like a fresh fall of snow. I miss it, but am rather happy I no longer have to drive in it! 🙂
And Happy Birthday! It’s lovely to read all the things you have discovered about yourself! Good for you! I’ve never minded birthdays either…and the main thing I’ve learned is patience.
And you have your Christmas tree up? I am impressed.
This sounds like quite a lovely Thanksgiving Krista, and I am so glad because you so deserve it. I hope you have a lovely birthday with your brother! Filled with good food, family, and friends.
Your list of things to be happy for is beautiful! I’m sure you are a great person, a brave woman, someone really worth to meet. I wish you a very happy b-day!!! Maddie, Italy
Happy birthday to you,
Happy birthday to you,
Happy birthday dear Krista, Happy birthday to you …. and may you have many many more cheerful years to come 🙂
I am so thankful for you…………your joy, hope and courage. Hope you had a BLESSED birthday knowing that there’s so much ahead of you to love and enjoy. Have a great Thanksgiving weekend
U have so wonderful birthday thoughts and m wonderfully happy to read ur thoughts!
Love the love and hugs that fill ur air as muc as i loveeee the snow!
Oh let it snow…..let it snow………….let it snow…….
And U have some absolutely stunning pics taken on this page , oh the golden hues of the sun thru the greens and more!
Happy Birthday Krista! You are like a ray of sunshine wherever you go! xo
Happy birthday, Krista! Love you.