Birthday Wishes

I am 45 years young today. It's the beginning of a new year. I take the week between new years eve and my birthday to re-assess, re-evaluate, and dream about the year ahead. I read some posts this week about finding a word to define the year ahead on Ali's blog. A sort of self-fulfilling prophecy, if you think it then it will be. There were lots of words that others used that I considered. Vitality, Joyful, Embrace, Journey, Delight, Flourish. I wrote them down and have been thinking on them all week.

I read a book called It's Not About the Hair by by Debra Jarvis. She is a cancer survivor and a chaplain at a cancer center. The book was spiritual and uplifting and very insightful. After the health struggles I faced last year and that my mom is still facing I thought it might help me gain some perspective. It did and I'm so glad I read it, but the word still eluded me.

This morning we woke up to over a foot of freshly fallen snow that is so beautiful and allows us to have a snow day with no school. That was just what I was hoping for. I opened my lovely gifts from my family with our morning tea and coffee. My husband gave me a beautiful green freshwater pearl bracelet and earrings made by a local artist. The word was right there in my gift. Attached to the clasp on the bracelet is a charm with a word on it. It's the word for this year.

mir·a·cle (mr-kl)
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin miraculum, from Latin, a wonder, marvel, from mirari to wonder at
1: an extraordinary event manifesting divine intervention in human affairs
2: an extremely outstanding or unusual event, thing, or accomplishment
3. One that excites admiring awe. See Synonyms at wonder.
4. A miracle play.

I think miracles come to us in all sizes and forms, and sometimes we miss them. You have to be in tune with the moment to recognize them. I'll be looking for the everyday miracles in my life this year. It's a hopeful, joyful word that makes me smile. I hope you have miracles ahead in your life this year, too.

This is the card my family gave me this morning. Kyle took the picture of Mabel that inspired Curtis to carve this image and stamp it for me. They also gave me the rubber block so I can use it to make cards. I love my guys.