On Blessings

I’m newly 50. There was a lot of activity on my Facebook page of touching sentiments and birthday wishes. The way people perceive you is so enlightening. You may have an idea how you are perceived, but you just never know the way a specific word, moment or action can profoundly touch another person. 

So, I had a chat with my Long Island NY junior high school friend Christine on my birthday; she mentioned the wonderful comments friends posted to my page, saying I was blessed to have friends say such beautiful things. Then, she asked how I felt to be 50. And yes – I have been thinking about it as well as the statement, “I am blessed to…” (insert blessings here), which led me to conclude that blessings are all around us waiting to be claimed, then cultivated and ultimately manifested. We are empowered to make our own blessings; I am not simply “blessed” with this life.

mommy & me. 

The happiness, love and contentment I have attained are blessings that have been earned. I was given an able body, so I care for it and keep it strong. I was given a bit of creative flair, so I try to make gifts and craft words to make people feel special (and I figured out how to get paid for my creativity!). I was born into a loving family, so I strive to show my love and respect as best I can to honor the love they have shown me. I was put in the path of extraordinary people, so I made an effort to be friends. I met a man, who I initially thought was an unlikely partner, but I was openhearted enough to realize he is the only one for me.

I would be without all of these blessings, if I did not have the good sense to recognize them and keep giving back what they give to me. I am far from perfect. I just want to be good enough to be considered someone else’s blessing.

teary-eyed mom with my dad as she opens a Mom's Day card I gave her