“Three Score and ten…”

Yes, today is my birthday and I am seventy years old. In Psalm 90 the Bible references a life span as three score and ten (70). Based on the Bible reference, my Daddy told me years ago that anything past Seventy were bonus years. I made it to the bonus round.

I am overwhelmed with the text messages, calls, cards, gifts and Facebook posts with Birthday wishes. Thank you to family and friends who took time out of their day to think of me and send good thoughts.

I have had an amazing life. While in many ways quite ordinary, there have been many “Wows” and of course also sad times and confusing times. The compilation of all of the people I have known, places I have seen and things I have done up until this very moment have created the Linda of today.

I am a lifelong learner and still want to learn new things and be exposed to things I know nothing about. I want to embrace simple things like watching the hummingbirds at the feeder or doing the hokey pokey with my two and a half year old Grandson.

I need to be challenged, to work (whether that is physical like cleaning or cutting the grass) or mental like a new part time job I am currently pursuing. I want to be open to new ideas.

I asked my Mama several years back if she had any regrets and her answer surprised me. She said she regretted not having taken more time to play with my brother and I when we were children. She said she didn’t play until the work was done and there was always something else that needed to be done. I remember her reading to me, looking at art books, making doll clothes (I remember a Tiny Tears doll with a beautiful hand made layette that would have been suitable for Princess Charlotte) but I think what she meant was more of the type of play that was pure joy…like running in the sprinkler or catching lightening bugs. The kind of play that you laugh until your sides hurt and you can’t catch your breath.

I encourage you today to play. Be silly, play chase, make up dumb songs, watch cartoons, dance in the kitchen. Be joyful!

Be grateful. Count your blessings. Get out there and live!

Be kind to each other. Make today the best day of your life…and then do it again tomorrow.

Peace and Love

Linda