The Best Gifts Ever!

My dear dad and step mom called me on the phone. I was very glad to hear from my dad. He was very ill last year, and now he undergoes kidney dialysis. He is so much better. My heart was leaping for joy to hear his voice especially when he said, “How can I forget this day?”

My mother and sister called me using Facetime. I was very happy to see them too. I usually think of my mom on my birthday. I know the pain of giving birth! Kudos to her!

My brother, his wife, and my nieces greeted me too. They updated me of the good news happening in their lives. I am happier to know that they are doing well in life.

My best friend, Larmee emailed me saying she screwed up with her birthday surprise. She said she put my email address instead of hers in the billing notification for whatever surprise that she has for me. I was clueless until she sent  me that email. That way, she screwed up with the surprise. Not a surprise anymore!!! hahaha!

I do not use Facebook anymore so there is no reminder to everyone that it is my birthday. So I truly appreciate the people who exerted effort to text me instead or leave me messages saying their warm wishes. And for those who are not good with remembering dates (just like me), I know they will greet me once they remember or find out! Not a problem with me!

This morning my two kids were singing me a birthday song. These human beings who literally were a part of my body, who came from me… It is music to my ears to hear them sing.

After dropping off my son to school, I invited three of my friends to join me for breakfast at home. I was happy to be with them. A company of good friends is really valuable.

Tonight, my family will just eat out. So no cooking dinner for me today!

I decided not to run on the treadmill, not to do the laundry today. I will sit back and relax. I lit up a candle on my altar and said a prayer. Actually, I just said THANK YOU.

I do not own fancy things. Remember I am Miss Thrift Shopper!  And I do not need expensive stuff as gifts. Family, friends, peace of mind, quiet time are the BEST GIFTS ever!  Indeed, these are priceless. I will never trade for anything in the world.

Photo Credit:www.littlestepsasia.com

And of course, I would like to mention all the bloggers who sent me their birthday wishes too. You are all strangers but we are all connected to each other and have something in common here….WRITING.  I truly appreciate your time and your kind words!

God bless us everyone! Keep blogging, Keep inspiring!!!

Today Is My Birthday

Today, I remember my mother and father. This is the day when I should thank them for giving me life and for raising me up. I have become what I am today, mostly because of the family who loved and nurtured me.

This day is also a reminder that I am a human being born into this world of challenges. I thank our Creator. And as I always say, it is always a privilege to be part of this world, to live, and be a passerby.  With this, I have come to know love, peace, and happiness (of course, alongside with the ugly side of it).

When I was a young girl, I look forward to my birthday. I was excited with celebration, presents, treats. But now, I can not say I am excited anymore. It just means another year older. It means growing old! Closer to the death I fear.  So not too excited but I say this is more of a day when I ponder on my life, on my existence. I try to look at the past 36 of my life. What have I done? Have I lived life according to how I should? Am I a better person? What have I learned? What is in store for me? This is the time I should feel grateful for all the blessings I have received. All the good things and the good people in my life.

I pray that I will continuously love the people around me. That I will have endless patience in my dealings. That I will forgive easily. That I will always see beauty and light even in times of darkness. That I will be light to others too. That I will be nicer and wiser. That I will continue to embrace what comes my way, strive to make myself and my life better.  I hope I will be a more loving mother, wife, child, sister, and friend…

Daisies, flower of the month/Birth flower

Photo credit: http://www.1stinflowers.com/fom_april.html