Happy Birthday To Me!

So yes, today is my birthday. I’m now…(drumroll) 65 years old! And boy does that mess with my head in the sensation that…yes, I know I’m that old, but I keep thinking–how did I GET here? I don’t FEEL 65, I sure don’t act it, but I am. I got my Medicare card to prove it! Can you believe that? But 65 now sure isn’t what it was when I was little.

Yes, the above picture is what my ‘dream’ birthday cake might look like. Black forest cake–chocolate, with a cherry filling, a vanilla filling (3 tier), and chocolate frosting. Unfortunately, I’d have to make my own given I have to be dairy and gluten free, and I have to avoid any cross-contamination. I could make it, but honestly? I just don’t feel like doing so right now and that’s fine. I actually want a fruit salad, which I haven’t made in awhile, so that’s easier to do and I’ll probably mix one up later today.

I’m not going to do the usual ‘reflect on the past year’ post, I think. Because the last year was kind of a sh*t show in so many ways. In others, it was better, but I’d rather look forward.

Instead, I think I’d rather make a list of things I’m grateful for. I’d rather put hope out in the world, and right now, I want to regulate my emotions, so I can be what I need to be for my loved ones, and so I can write the books I want to write, and all my books involve hope of some sort. To me there must always be hope, because the world is lost without it. Even a glimmer will do.

So…a gratitude list:

1. I’m always and forever grateful for a supportive husband and loving furballs. Yes, we have our problems and yes, we deal with disabilities, but we’re happy together 33 years after we met. And that’s a gift.

2. Good friends–friends who I’ve know for decades. Who I trust to confide in. I don’t have a *lot* of close friends, but the ones I do are gold and I’d rather be around a small group of people I trust than a large group of people I’m not sure of.

3. My writing–it saved my life when I was a teenager, literally. And it saves my sanity, especially in times like these. And I’m so lucky to be able to do what I love for a living.

4. My readers–you guys support me by buying my books, by spreading the word about them, by talking them up, reviewing them, and by letting me know how much they mean to you. The emails I get let me know that my work matters–and that means the world to me. I like being able to make a difference in this world with my creations.

5. I have a home, I have a safe place to live, I have heat and food and water and all those things that we need to live. I’m lucky, guys. And I never forget it.

So yes, there are my main thoughts today, as I sit here, and I wanted to share them with you.

PS: (hint hint…) If you’d like to give me a present–let me know what books I’ve written lately that you love! I can always use the cheerleading (most authors can…trust me).

Also…PSS: I have a HUGE surprise for you that I’ll tell you about in February! So don’t forget to open my emails then.