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Writer's pictureLinda Stager

TODAY IS MY BIRTHDAY…




Today is my birthday and I am sitting in the car waiting for the sun to come up. When you do that, it gives you some time to think…and take selfies. And greet your friends with goofy texts. So….that’s what I am doing. And then…..I am going to take birthday selfies under a gas light, and go home and make pumpkin cookies.

If those things happen, I will be okay with the day, There isn’t much anymore, that I feel I need to do to celebrate. There are a lot of years behind me. Waking up in the morning is a good celebration in and of itself.

I‘m 70 years old today. And I wonder how that happened. Where did all that time go?


That got me to musing over those last 6 decades. And what I have to show for them.

When I was 10, life was good. It was a simple life in Nelson. There were routines: church on Sundays, walks to the neighborhood store to buy penny candy, bike rides, family gathering, explorations, Brownie Girl Scouts, and school. Once I got past the trauma of my first art project in kindergarten that first year of school, I was pretty satisfied with life. (except that I really (really) wanted a horse that I didn’t get. Hah hah)


When I was 20, life was pretty waaaay out. It was the age of Aquarius. College. Work. Deciding what I was going to do with the rest of my life. It was all ahead of me!


By the time I was thirty I had a great job, an even better husband, and two little kids. Then in a blink of the eye, it became the decade of survival. Our oldest was gravely injured and the next ten years were a series of surgeries, hospitalizations, and trying to put one foot in front of the other. But everyone survived…even me!

My forties were great! (other than the cancer stint…..but there were some positives in that experience, so hey, I have no complaints). Actually, it would have been nice if that decade had stayed around. But no, life marches forward. And before I knew it I was 50.

You know, life can look great and not be great. I did important work in that next decade…and in the end it chewed me up and spit me out in little pieces. By the time the end of that decade came around, I was exhausted, sick… and done.


And then, great miracle happened! When I was 62, I was healed. Isn’t that a beautiful thing? And actually, I’d like for the last 8 years to continue…they’ve been pretty fantastic. Can we just keep it right here?

But time marches on……and here I am, looking at the waning side of life now. And more and more wrinkles come every year. (Maybe every day!) I see my Grandma Dot’s and my Grandma Lula’s wrinkles on my own face, and that’s okay. I wear them as a badge of honor.

What will the future bring? I have no idea. But I do have a thought or two.


If it’s like the last 69 years, there will be some ups and some downs. I can hope for the ups….more than the downs….


And the days will go fast…life goes fast anymore.


But I know that the important things are in place. Family. Friends. Supports and encouragements.


And in the end, there will be plenty of opportunities to be grateful, no matter what.

The cover of my 2022 calendar says, ”Life is Good”….yes, it is.


And it will be….with a little help from my friends…and you know who they are…..


You….❤️

Here is to the next 365 days of waking up every morning….Salute!






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10 Comments


boopster7
Jan 02, 2022

Happy Birthday have a wonderful day and night. Your words are of wisdom and understanding and I remember going to the Wood land pool and learning to swim. And going to Gus’s old soda fountain and eating ice cream sundaes. Then going to Bower’s drug store to the soda fountain where my Grandmother worked as a Pharmacist.. Life is great and your photo‘s are beautiful. I had my Great Grandparent’s house oil - painted by: Jack Cupper he also lived in the house. Have a great birthday and a very Happy New Year.

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havepwds
Nov 24, 2021

Thank you for this!

I enjoy every thing you write!

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Linda Stager
Linda Stager
Nov 25, 2021
Replying to

Thanks!

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snydersharon1950
Nov 24, 2021

Very well said, Linda. You have amazing Grace, amazing talent and make so many people happy with your pictures.

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paesrus10
Nov 23, 2021

I would say regardless of those setbacks, especially with your child your life has been good. Happy, fun filled with exploration of what comes next in your decades of life.


Your photography is phenomenal, it seems your friends are plentiful, which is something most people yearn for, I know I do and your love of life is going along swell.


Stay healthy and you have it all. God Bless!!!


Stzy

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Linda Stager
Linda Stager
Nov 25, 2021
Replying to

Thanks. Life really has been good.….

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little332
Nov 23, 2021

Awe Linda that so beautiful and uplifting! May you have a wonderful and Blessed Birthday and the best year ever!!!! You light up so many lives with all your pictures and you may not even know how much joy you bring to others!

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Linda Stager
Linda Stager
Nov 25, 2021
Replying to

Thanks Wanda…you are always so encouraging…..Happy thanksgiving….

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