I appreciate all of my Facebook friends who sent in greetings, warm
wishes, and other thoughts. It made my
birthday celebration even more complete and special.
I have to admit it was a rather unusual birthday, yet a very wonderful one – although any birthday during the Pandemic is rather unusual with its disruptions, limitations, and challenges. But this birthday had even more than its share of unique thoughts, feelings and special effects.
A week before my birthday, I had returned to the house I grew up in, sorting through (and clearing out) many memories of family life from all stages of my life and even before, from pre-birth, childhood, through college and into adulthood seeing myself, my family, and some friends in some new ways. So many thoughts passed through my heart, soul, and mind that I feel even more prepared for the future. My birthday had its Facebook and other greetings, and friends who sent in videos sharing memories, songs, and comedy--these further Philled out the day, and my perspective on the present and what lies ahead.
To borrow a little from a book I am currently reading—"Little Fires Everywhere,” my mind became a vast eternal place where the present I am living, and the past I was remembering (or even did not know as well before), and the future that I look forward to, all existed at once. My thoughts and images became enhanced, seeing all of these stages simultaneously like a three (or even more) dimensional way of thinking, feeling, and seeing. I appreciate all who are or have been in my life and I look forward to getting back to seeing more people physically and renewing and enhancing what has become an only virtual pursuit.
While this pandemic has been devastating in many respects, I am hopeful that it will remind us of the core values, pleasures, family, and friendships that are truly important in life. Thanks for allowing me to share these thoughts and for being a part of them.
