Thursday was my birthday. As many like to phrase it, I marked “taking another year around the sun”. I love celebrating my birthday. Yep. I count my cards, I eat treats all day long, I relish the emails and phone calls that come my way, and I always hope there will be balloons and flowers. And this year, as in other years, there were all those things. I was spoiled from morning till night. And I loved it!
A couple of months ago I was shopping in a second-hand store. I found many great bargains. As I was checking out, so delighted with my purchases, my joy was magnified when the clerk asked, “Are you 55 or better?” Did you catch that? Not, “How old are you?” Not, “Are you a senior?” But, “Are you 55 or BETTER?” I immediately said, “I am BETTER.” And I have been using that turn of phrase ever since. Sure, I move slow when I get out of bed in the morning, Sure, my knees hurt when I try to cross them. Sure, sitting on the floor is more of a challenge then it used to be. But I maintain I am better – not older!
All this might seem trite given all that is going on in the world. I have the nightly news on as I type this post. The talk was first all about the police removal of the protestors in Ottawa. Now the reporter just said, “Europe is bracing for war”, as Russia continues its threatening behaviour at the Ukraine border. And in the afterglow of the Olympics, there continues to be discussion about the human rights abuses in China. How can I have the nerve to talk about celebrating a birthday? Well, yes, it might seem superficial but I, in my ‘better’ way of seeing the world, know that nothing I do will impact the Russians or the Chinese but connecting with friends and family will keep me focused on the simple pleasures of life. I can influence the world with bits of kindness in my small corner of the world. I can lighten the stress and the heaviness of the daily news by valuing the the gift of friendship and the treat of simple celebration. That’s what getting “better” means for me. It is defeating the overwhelming distress of world news by balancing it with gratitude for the grace and gift of each day.
I know that many of you read this blog and never comment. That is fine. But as I have adjusted to no longer working at the church I have had to change my contact info. If you would be so kind as to make a comment – even just a ‘Hi” will do – I can verify that all my contact info has shifted to my new email address. Thanks!