Awwww - thank you so much, @Dandi! I'm having a lovely day! And I don't feel a day older than...<politecough>....<morecoughing>....<stillcoughing>......
I had a lovely dinner last night out on my verandah with my DH and my best friend and god kids - who are all visiting from LA for a week - and also @HudsonHawk, a PS member who has been one of my closest friends for over a decade now. We had a beautiful dinner, then had dessert and presents out on my patio under the stars with candles and fairy lights and many toasts to our respective good health.
Today has been partly birthday focused but also Fathers Day focused, going out to breakfast, exchanging small gifts, then dozing in the hammock and eating some leftovers that are a cut above the norm, if I do say so myself!
I am particularly pleased just to add one more year to my life. After some very rough years - and particularly last year and my stay in hospital, when the general consensus was that I would not make it out, I am THRILLED to be able to say - I turned 61! Were anyone to ask me what my major accomplishment was over the last year, I'd say, simply, that I am still here, that I'm still surrounded by the people I love, that I am more well than I anticipated I'd ever be at this age, and I am blessed in more ways than anyone has a right to expect. I am grateful to my family and friends - both here and at home in Australia - and most of all am thankful to God, from whom - as the hymn says - all blessings flow.
To all of you - thank you for the gift you are in my life - for the friendship and interest and loyalty and consistency. For the laughs, the bling, the joy. For all these things.....
Happy birthday @mrs-b! May you have heaps of health and happiness this coming year and always. You’ve been thru the wringer and came out with your wit, humor, kindness and optimism intact.
@mrs-b I am surprised to hear you are 61--your skin is so smooth in your pictures, I would have guessed younger. I am glad you had a wonderful day yesterday and are enjoying today!!