Happy Birthday, Jami! What a great list of desires. Maybe add in piece of three-layer, very southern Hummingbird Cake to sweeten things even more. Had my 66th yesterday and thought about the weirdness of the double digits and then about Route 66, and then I felt like I might've entered a year of detours and construction zones. Then again, life, like writing a novel, is always weird and full of wrong turns that can end up so right. Right? Cheers and gratitude to you!
I'm just now getting to this. And I'm glad I made time for it. You've captured so beautifully where I see myself currently. No birthday, but I've finally made the move I've wanted for a long time. A letting go of expectations set by others. An invitation to live as I want to live in a place I love. And a deliberate slowness that allows for exploration and renewal. Day by day, I'm remembering who I am.
Happy birthday Jami! Though the birthday is yours, you’re the one giving us a gift. I am working on worrying less about the people I don’t care about. That resonated with me. Cheers and have a lovely birthday week.
Thank you for sharing your musings (always, but today especially). I am a few rotations ahead of you on the planetary dance and much of what you expressed seems so familiar. In my mid-fifties I was working out how to define my desires and express them—without alienating everyone around me. A few years later I became incredibly impatient about getting on with the rest of my life. I crossed over to the next decade a couple weeks ago, and find myself ready to open up to the world again. Selectively, but with my whole heart. I wish you all the wisdom and life for your continued work-in-progress .
(p.s. should we be concerned that you illustrated this post with—admittedly beautiful—cemetery photos?)
Happy birthday Jami. Thank you for sharing your beautiful desires. I relate to wanting more authentic expression. More meaning making. To stand in our truth and connect with others doing the same. I also love the knowing that some of it is just for you. What a lovely birthday present. ❤️
I, too, am 54, and it's an interesting time of life. If life is a mountain with the younger years climbing to the summit, I feel like I am standing on that skinny little slice of rock, looking down and trying to decide which route to take. It's not just a simple up-and-over; there are many options, too many perhaps. I can also stay up there for as long as I like, which is novel and something most people don't tell you. Sure, the air is a little thinner and there aren't great snacks if I didn't carry them up with me, but there are fewer people, and it feels like I can breathe. Or that I should breathe, and wait.
It has felt like the internet and social media co-opted the word "authentic" for some time, that authenticity was demanded of people but it also had to fit into this window of performative authenticity (that actually negates it being authentic at all). BUT, I think it's important we take the word back!! It's a good word! And a worthy cause! A beautiful thing to keep working and striving for in each year of life. Happy birthday!!
Beautiful. What a gift to us to offer inspiration on your birthday!
And Happy Birthday again, Jami!
Thanks Chee!! xx
Happy birthday week! Grateful for you and the community you tend.
Authenticity is a tricky one, but seems you nailed it. Hope the next trip around the sun is all you want and need it to be.
Happy Birthday, Jami! What a great list of desires. Maybe add in piece of three-layer, very southern Hummingbird Cake to sweeten things even more. Had my 66th yesterday and thought about the weirdness of the double digits and then about Route 66, and then I felt like I might've entered a year of detours and construction zones. Then again, life, like writing a novel, is always weird and full of wrong turns that can end up so right. Right? Cheers and gratitude to you!
I'm just now getting to this. And I'm glad I made time for it. You've captured so beautifully where I see myself currently. No birthday, but I've finally made the move I've wanted for a long time. A letting go of expectations set by others. An invitation to live as I want to live in a place I love. And a deliberate slowness that allows for exploration and renewal. Day by day, I'm remembering who I am.
Holy shit, I’m turning 68 this week! (I believe we share the same birth date - 11/01).
Happy Birthday.
Keep figuring out yourself - I'll keep working on me. Take care, my friend.
Happy birthday Jami! Though the birthday is yours, you’re the one giving us a gift. I am working on worrying less about the people I don’t care about. That resonated with me. Cheers and have a lovely birthday week.
❤️
Happy, happy birthday, Jami!
Thank you for sharing your musings (always, but today especially). I am a few rotations ahead of you on the planetary dance and much of what you expressed seems so familiar. In my mid-fifties I was working out how to define my desires and express them—without alienating everyone around me. A few years later I became incredibly impatient about getting on with the rest of my life. I crossed over to the next decade a couple weeks ago, and find myself ready to open up to the world again. Selectively, but with my whole heart. I wish you all the wisdom and life for your continued work-in-progress .
(p.s. should we be concerned that you illustrated this post with—admittedly beautiful—cemetery photos?)
Ha they were just the most recent photos I had taken. (That’s usually just what I post.)
Happy Birthday!!! You said it perfectly!
Happy birthday Jami. Thank you for sharing your beautiful desires. I relate to wanting more authentic expression. More meaning making. To stand in our truth and connect with others doing the same. I also love the knowing that some of it is just for you. What a lovely birthday present. ❤️
Thank you!
Quite a list, Jami. On my birthdays (59 and counting), I mainly think of cake. 😬
Happy birthday! 🎉🎂
Cheers!
Friendship being about a mutual exchange—makes sense to me and I agree wholeheartedly.
Happy Birthday, Jamie!
Thanks Lily!
paring down and honing in, yes, that sounds like a grand plan...happy birthday week!
Thank you!!
Happy birthday to you.
I, too, am 54, and it's an interesting time of life. If life is a mountain with the younger years climbing to the summit, I feel like I am standing on that skinny little slice of rock, looking down and trying to decide which route to take. It's not just a simple up-and-over; there are many options, too many perhaps. I can also stay up there for as long as I like, which is novel and something most people don't tell you. Sure, the air is a little thinner and there aren't great snacks if I didn't carry them up with me, but there are fewer people, and it feels like I can breathe. Or that I should breathe, and wait.
Enjoy your day. <3
It has felt like the internet and social media co-opted the word "authentic" for some time, that authenticity was demanded of people but it also had to fit into this window of performative authenticity (that actually negates it being authentic at all). BUT, I think it's important we take the word back!! It's a good word! And a worthy cause! A beautiful thing to keep working and striving for in each year of life. Happy birthday!!
This is… Perfect.
Happy birthday Jami ⛅️