Birthdays and Growing Older

Monday we are celebrating my daughter, Heather's 37th birthday by getting the whole family together at one of our local eating establishments. Not only will her brother and sister be there, but her aunt and uncle, (my sister, Loretta Stephenson [Art By Retta] and my brother-in-law) and her 4 year old niece (my granddaughter). Now that you have the role call, I bet you're wondering what all this has to do with my writing? Absolutely nothing!

I'm proud of my family and they have supported me in my endeavor to put my thoughts down on paper. Watching my children grow is one of the most exciting things in my life. They have given me more things to think about than all the books I've read put together. Heather has been my muse when I'm working on a project, or stuck with an assignment from my writing class. She has been a willing listening ear during times when I had doubts about myself and whether or not I should continue. Her favorite saying is: "Oh well... whatever!" Meaning to me, I should think it through.

Heather is my oldest child and as I watch her grow older, it reminds me of my own aging. There are times when this frightens me, but for the most part I look at her and say: "But I don't feel any older!" So what's happening here? Is my daughter getting older and I'm magically staying in same age? You bet! As long as my mind is active and I'm learning, I may in reality be growing older, but in my mind I'm still young enough to enjoy life. So, I say Happy Birthday, Heather! You have kept me young enough to do the things I choose to do.

Are any of you having birthdays this month? If so I also wish you a Happy Birthday! And I would remind you to think: How young am I?