Another milestone….. yes, believe it or not, today is my 60th birthday! Do I feel 60? Nope! Okay, well some days. Today is going to be a day of reflection and probably some tears. I am blessed to celebrate waking up this morning. No matter what the day may bring, I know it will be WONDERFUL! I’m determined to be positive and make the most of it. I’m excited I get to spend the day with my mom.
Birthdays are milestones in our lives. As children, they are a day (or sometimes a week or even a month) where the focus is on us. Filled with presents, parties, family, friends and of course cake and ice cream. As the years go by, life “happens” and things change.
The past year has been filled with ups and downs. Ongoing health challenges, giving up my JOB to work my business full-time, more memory loss and most recently the loss of my dad. Through it all I believe every day is a gift from God with a blessing to be found.
Truth be told for many years “birthdays” were just another day when low self-esteem and lack of confidence and those nasty inner gremlins made me feel like I didn’t deserve a celebration. I have always been great at giving but I’m not very good at receiving. Today, I am looking at them a little differently – have I grown up? Don’t count on it! My dad was all about living life to the fullest and his passing is probably one of the reasons why TODAY is the day I stop saying “it is just another day”. Today is a gift from God to be able to spend another day with family and friends. The celebration doesn’t need to be big, it doesn’t need to have lots of presents (maybe just one or two)
As a child, one of my favorite celebrations was the annual trip to New York City to see the Ringling Brothers and Barnum Bailey Circus. This annual tradition was a treat from Edythe and Elsie. It included the circus and dinner in NY. I always felt so grown up! Both of them are now our guardians angels in heaven and the circus performed for the last time last month.
I have to admit the tears are starting to flow, tears of joy mixed with some sadness:
- I grateful for my daughter, Belinda. She has grown into an AMAZING woman who I am proud to call my friend. Life was not always easy but she turned adversity into a learning lesson. God could not have given me a greater gift then to be her mom.
- To my mom….thank you for always being there. We are not just mother and daughter, but we are friends. The miles may separate us but I know you are only a phone call away or a short drive to Mays Landing. You are always one of my biggest cheerleaders.
- To my dad….who is now watching over me from heaven. It was a rough year but through it all, you encouraged and supported me. You taught me to embrace life, living it to the fullest every day and to chose JOY, even on a bad day so everything will be okay. I miss you daddy!
- To my bestie, Stephanie. Who would have thought when our daughters met in pre-school, became best friends – we would be besties? I am so blessed to have you in my life. We have been through good times and bad but through it all, we were there to support and encourage each other.
- To my Thirty One family. An amazing group of women who have loved and supported me in my darkest days. My team is AWESOME and they inspire me daily. My hostesses and customers are so much more than just “orders”, building friendships with many of them. They all hold a special place in my heart. It is with their help and support I am able to work my business full-time.
- Lastly, to my hubby (who probably won’t read this)…who is my ROCK! I know I am not the easiest to live with (imagine that?) but you are always there, standing strong and supporting me. Your support and encouragement in my Thirty One “business” gives me the confidence to step out of my comfort zone. Thank you for being one of my greatest cheerleaders.
There are many more people I could (and probably should) thank or talk about from this year. It has been an AMAZING journey for me and I am looking forward to the blessings God has for me in this new year. I can’t believe I am actually 60 years old – okay, so it is only a number, right?
Hope you have ThirtyOne-derful day!
Hope Wissel 