Candles and kisses and loop 54
I pass “go” again this week as I circle around the sun,
turning a big hopeful grinning 54.
Celebrating with 54 fresh reasons to be deep down, ridiculously glad
for my time here on this planet.
Blowing 54 kisses of thanks for……
*unreasonably long gratitude list to follow*
~ pinpoints of light that say “this is the way,”
~that my life is my own – that I have a say,
~ for unbounded hope and fluffy meringues,
~that I can do satisfied and content
while I grow, stretch, and change.
~For rivers and bridges and shelter and wings,
~for when the lonely find family and outsiders welcomed “in”
~ when someones give a damn enough to fight for what they love,
~ and all my times of weakness when I’m held and lifted up,
~ for fresh picked apples and Asian pears,
~ and springs that won’t run dry,
~the gift of a friendly listen,
~ my choices….that I get to drive
~ for friends who’d rather laugh than judge,
~ and mercy when I don’t get it right,
~ that I’m made out of God and dirt
~ and free to dance in the light,
~ for the freedom, too, to love everyone,
~ for how simple it is to be kind,
~ for how brave it is to show mercy,
~ how I don’t have to choose left or right,
~rosemary, cilantro, and medical massage,
~ old photos and their storytelling way,
~ for garlands and stables and Mussel Shoals,
~ and those “stop thinking; start breathing” days,
~For when snow falls on those who are dreaming of it,
~ and early mornings leaning into God,
~ that we don’t have to be more to be thoroughly loved,
~ and rumblings of truth in our hearts,
~that we’re worthy, valued, and built for love,
~for fishy waters, high clouds and vivid skies,
~ for fountains and mountains and daughters and sons,
~ a warm coat, a cool hat and shoes that keep my feet dry.
~ for ears to hear the roar and beating heart to feel the pain,
~for the power to be gentle
~ and the room we’re free to make,
~for “I’m sorry” and “me, too,”
~ “I need some help,” “I understand,”
~ for throttle down and rest about it,
~ that mistakes are part of the plan.
January. A double-shot of beginning for me:)
Thanks for letting me share my days with you.
That you come around and read what I sometimes write down
is honor and gift.
Love….just so much. And thanks:)
(this sweet beauty was sent to me a few years back by Elaine Kean, a then-blogger and always friend)
“And in the morning, when I rise, you bring a tear of joy to my eyes.
And tell me every thing is gonna be alright.”
– Kenny Loggins
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY Jennifer. I love your 54 reasons to be ridiculously glad to be 54. I hope that you have a great year of sweet accomplishments that gladdens your heart.
Hugs,
JB
Thanks, friend:)
The biggest accomplishment on my heart is to give more love. Just to love.
To love and be loved. That’s the whole of it, for me.
Keeps it pretty simple:)
Thanks for being such a friend,
Jennifer
I very, very sweet birthday to you. Love your reasons for gratitude and glee. And hope they multiply.
Thanks for the sweetness, Sue:)
Gratitude and glee:)
Big hugs,
Jennifer
Gosh…just when I don’t think you can get any better…you surpass the last one! Just beautiful! Happy Birthday too!
Thanks for your sunny encouragement….feels like a warm hand on my back
on a cold day:) I appreciate:)
Hugs, Robin,
Jennifer
Jennifer, wishing you the best of birthdays and years ahead. xoxo
Hey Naomi:)
Thanks for dropping by and wishing me well:)
Big hope for the sweetest year ever for you also!
Love and thanks,
Jennifer
I am grateful that you share your days with us because in part, doing so enriches mine so much. Your words, paintings, photos all blend together in a glorious world that isn’t afraid to go dark or be bright — you are YOU and you make us better at being US.
Happy Birthday, my friend. I hope your new year — and all those to come — bring great joy!
It’s awesome how we get to do this together, isn’t it, Jeanie!
I mean, really. I couldn’t have dreamed it 30 years ago.
Grateful and glad:)
-Jennifer
So much love and light in your words, Jennifer. Thanks for all of your inspiration. I’m wishing you a blessed 54 and 2016!!
So much love and light back to you, Barbara:)
I love how we get to inspire each other
along the way. Big hugs and thanks,
Jennifer
Glad that you are here on this earth to witness and share your own unique beauty with us. Wishing you a year full of joy abounding, and many more!
I’m glad I’m here, too! Really, really glad:)
Sometimes I’ve despaired it. When I’m not seeing clear.
But altogether good it is to be here:)
(help, I’m speaking in rhyme:/ Have to be careful or i’ll get stuck that way;))
love and thanks,
Jenn
Happy birthday my January friend! I love how full of gratitude you really are, and I love knowing that you, Andi, and me share Capricorn happy birthdays. Hugs, kath
Birthday hugs right back to you, Kath.
Hope this month is one long celebration of life
in an extraordinarily abundant way:)
love and birthday bliss to you,
Jennifer
I like to think my two day late birthday wishes have had time to simmer and soften and gel into something miraculous and spectacular — just like you!
Happy Birthday Jennifer! so grateful for your presence, your poetry, your poetic verse, your poetic eyes that see beauty in all things and share all things so beautifully.
Simmered and softened before my birthday so that they’re ripe when I open them:)
Thank you:)
I’m grateful for your kindness and creative way. You and your art make me richer.
-Jennifer
Happy BD! To a year of curiosities and beauties.
What a beautiful wish…..curiosity and beauty.
Two of my favorite things:)
So much thanks,
Jennifer
No wonder I’ve always felt such a sincere closeness with your heart and soul … we share so much, including this double shot of beginning in this sweet, cold month of January. I wish for you many, many more years of love and bliss and time to keep writing your whole heart out on pages full of beauty. Thank you for it all, especially your friendship … xo
CHeers to our double shot of beginning (clink)!
Many magical moments to you, friend.
We’re just getting to the good stuff:)
-Jennifer
Such big hearted delicious gratitude. I love your sweet words and never ending zest for a beautiful life. Cheers to many more!
Love + Light, Kathy
Thanks for celebrating life with me, Kathy Anne.
It’s big and delicious and I love sharing it with you:)
-Jennifer
So much love to you on your birthday, friend. You are a beauty and a rare gift to us all. Love you!
Your words almost always bring tears to my eyes.
Pretty amazing:) Thank you big, friend:)
-Jennifer
Wishing you joy and love in abundance on your special day Jennifer!
Joy and love in abundance:)
Awesome wish. Thanks, Wanda.
-Jennifer
A double-shot of beginning indeed….what a joy these words…tripping over my brain and off my tongue like a song….wishing you the best birthday yet!
Love you:) Like a song:)
Thanks for celebrating with me. I love our lives, don’t you!
-Jennifer
What an amazing birthday poem…really…I loved it…it was very inspiring!! Happy, happy birthday…wishing all the best in life!!
So glad you came by to celebrate with me, Kathryn;
I love the way we get to travel together:)
Thank you!
-Jennifer
Hello Friend! Gorgeous photos and inspiring words.
xo
dulcy
dulcy!
so good to hear from you and your beautiful, inspired life:)
Oh how I love the way you do.
Much thanks,
Jennifer
Oh my you’re a beautiful 54 ….. Love your words
So much thanks, Suz!
Grateful you dropped by:)
-Jennifer