Monday, March 17, 2014

Living, Dying, and Birthdays

Well I have done it.  I've gone and had another birthday.  Who would have ever thought I would have lived this long.

My First Birthday

I am the last from my nuclear family.  My Mom, Dad and my little brother have all gone before me.  My Mom lived till 77, my Dad till 55, and my brother till just 52.   Their dreams were cut short by realities beyond their control.  We don't all get our someday. 
This is never more real to me than on my birthday.

I had a realization, an epiphany if you will on my birthday.  When I was young I was in such a hurry to grow up.  It seemed that only adults were rewarded with fun and privileges, that I had all the time in the world. When I was older I believed I would go on earning a good living...celebrating family and friends forever. The fun would never end...  I now realize how wrong I was.

This is the beginning of my 63 year.  In my typical fashion of denial I changed the candles on the cake.   So instead of celebrating 63 years of living..... My cake proclaimed my age as 36.  I'm sure I wasn't kidding anyone.

Travel is a part of my big dream.  My dream was to travel full-time but that is not apart of the big picture for today.  But I'm looking forward to travel days and they are coming very soon.  I have talked to so many people about my plans and they respond with all the reasons they can't follow their dreams. You have heard the usual reasons, not enough money, to many responsibilities, the house, the job.... etc. etc. etc.   And I intend on traveling big when ever I can.

Sometimes my life hasn't gone according to my divine plan.... But I have learned to adjust, to form new plans and look for joy in every day.  THIS PART IS UP TO ME!  It doesn't matter what your dream is.....dream it and start the work needed to accomplish your dreams.  I know my dream.  I have done the work that I can to get my dreams in place.  We don't all get a someday.
Today is the day for everything..... I must and will live it fully.  Not a moment to waste....

This is ME getting on to the business of living.

A Happy Birthday - A day to celebrate a life well lived.



“Somebody should tell us, right at the start of our lives, that we are dying. Then we might live life to the limit, every minute of every day. Do it! I say. Whatever you want to do, do it now! There are only so many tomorrows.”      ― Michael Landon




(Check back on the last post... there were some great comments about life after Full - RV Travel)


11 comments:

  1. Happy "36th" birthday! A birthday wish for you - many fun traveling days.

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  2. Happy 36th birthday. Here's an adaptation of an old saying that makes sense--Plan your Life, Live your Plan! May you have many happy miles ahead of you!

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  3. Sorry I missed your birthday! Happy 36th Birthday, Karen. I hope you had a great day.

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  4. Thanks for the birthday wishes.... it is a great day to be alive, dreaming and getting ready for a great adventure...... Plan your life, Live your Plan.... I like that!!

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  5. Happy Birthday! Love the photo, you looked a little like my baby photos. I even had a dress like that. And you're right - we never know when our lives will end, but if we live our lives well, it doesn't matter. I'm ready - I've had a great life, everything I ever wanted - but I still plan to live to 105 - healthy and with a good mind. God willing, of course. You too, I hope. :)

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    1. And we shall wear purple.... I must find some purple..... shouldn't wait!!

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  6. Belated happy birthday! Enjoy your 63rd year. I'm right behind you in my 61st year.

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  7. Happy 36th... and enjoy many many more...
    My sister always says she's 29... and to that I say good cuz that makes me 25... LOL... in reality she's 66, I turn 62 in May and start collecting SS, the planning, as you have done, has begun. I read your blog and a lot of others doing the research needed to make it happen... looking at 9+ months and counting, beginning 2015.

    Thanks for your writing... and info... it is so much appreciated.

    Carlene aka WaianaegGal

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  8. Happy Birthday Karen, may we always be 36. I have set a rule in the family that none of my grandkids can be over 15. They don't listen very well. LOL

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  9. Happy birthday! If you are like me, you may be 63 but you feel 36. I too wished my younger life away wanting to "grow up" and when I did I found that I didn't have control of everything and had a lot more responsibilities. That we don't all get our "some day" is so true. I agree with Michael Landon but know that young people, myself included, can't stop believing life goes on forever. Death is not even a concept for more than a few days if one of their own dies. Interesting combination topic today birthday/death/life.

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  10. Happy Birthday! When the kids were at home, the kiddos would say 'mom, grow up!' my reply was NEVER. I feel blessed to be in such good helth in our retirement. Like you say, for some people, someday never comes.

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