From the first cup of coffee in the morning to the last kiss good night, it was a good day.  It was my birthday.

A birthday.  A day of celebration, and for as long as I can remember, always a day full of anticipation.

I often hear people say, “oh it’s no big deal, it’s just another day”, and I can never understand why someone would say this.   It is a big deal!  It’s your day!  It is a day to celebrate life!

The celebration may not always be the same.  I know we can’t always have a grand party, and there will be birthday’s that seem a little off, but it should never be a reason to think of it as “just another day.”  I learned early, that it didn’t matter the date or day, a birthday was unique, and the person who was being celebrated was one-of-a-kind.  In learning this, I think I also learned the value life.

This year, my special day was very quiet, but it was also very good.

It wasn’t a big party, but hearing my daughter’s voice, and seeing the big smile on my 9 month old grandson’s face while we did face time, was a gift beyond value.  One person sang Happy Birthday to me, and I can still hear my 6-year-old grandson’s voice in my mind. It was without a doubt a highlight in my day.  The call from my son to say I love you, the one who I thought had forgotten what day it was.  Spending the day with my “best friend” relaxing, and cheering on the Chargers (thank you for winning, by the way!)  Completing the day with a wonderful dinner overlooking the ocean with my “best friend” and my mom.

These are the gifts of love from my family.  It was a good day.