I’ve hit a big milestone today! I feel mature, womanly, but not over-the-hill at all! I am truly happy and thankful for all I have on my 40th birthday and I feel a lot of love coming my way. This blog is the only diary I have, so I thought I would write down 40 things I’m grateful for (in no particular order — just the way they came out of my head). Here goes…
I am grateful for:
- my health!
- my beautiful daughter Maxine, who is sensitive and determined and challenges me and will be my friend for life
- my beautiful daughter Annie, who loves to hug and makes me laugh every day and drives me crazy
- my husband, who believes in me and supports my passion and who at age 40 himself has become an even better man (and who will think this is an embarrassingly sappy and corny post, so please don’t tell him about it!)
- my mom, who is also my friend and teacher and motivator, and who still picks me up if I have fallen down
- my dad, who is still my daddy and my doctor
- my sister, who is still as accepting and easy to talk to as she ever was, and who is a mom I admire
- being diagnosed with celiac disease before I had children
- my grandmother who is 97 and has the most amazing memory of anyone in our family
- my children having close relationships with all of their grandparents, and two great grandparents
- my open and honest and loving relationship with my mother-in-law, who has made my birthday weekend possible — BIG points MIL!
- my father-in-law, who always makes sure everyone is okay
- varicose vein removal (haven’t done it yet)
- sports, and that I was raised playing them
- the fact that cell phones and little video cameras and You Tube didn’t exist when I was in high school and college
- not getting married too young
- never having to face a major tragedy (knock knock knock on wood)
- this blog
- my wonderful old friends, including one who flew from Miami to California to stand next to me at a conference all day, just so she could spend time with me on my birthday weekend
- my “new” friends who are already feeling like old ones
- my blogger friends, who inspire me with their knowledge about food and living healthy lives, and whom I’ve even met in real life!
- the people who read this blog and share their stories, which keep me going
- straightening irons, which were not available for so many years of my life that I really needed them! The hours I could have saved! We had crimping irons instead!
- being able to afford organic, gluten-free, allergen-free food (I really feel for those who cannot — everyone should have access to healthy food)
- good teachers
- good doctors
- good tv shows
- cozy beds
- flip-flops becoming acceptable footwear
- learning to speak Spanish
- a large extended family that gets together on the holidays
- a home
- having wild and crazy times to look back on
- still planning on having wild and crazy times in the future, just a little less crazy and wild!
- being raised and living in an open-minded place
- seeing other cultures and learning to appreciate what I have
- people who make the hard decisions
- people who make me laugh
- kissing my children goodnight
- my health. again.
Thank you to everyone who has made this a special birthday for me!
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SarahB says
Wonderful list! Happy birthday!
karen says
Happy Birthday! They say 70 is the new 30, so 40 is a piece of cake!
Deanna says
Wonderful list – have Happy Birthday!
Craig says
A thoughtful list. Happy birthday. I had my 50th this year, but coming up with half of what you wrote would have been a huge task. Goes to show we have more to be thankful for than most of us realize.
Alta says
Wonderful list! Happy Birthday!
Sharon the bloggerqueen says
I’m so happy to welcome you to the 40s club. We’ve been waiting for
you for 39 years. Here’s my tips for a happy midlife:
work out hard & get regular massages
floss your teeth
learn something cool
keep your girlfriends close, you’re going to need them soon.
Read books only for enjoyment
don’t stand on your head. You’ll sprain your neck
happy birthday friend! You are magnificent!
judy and rick says
Dear Alison:
How could you be 40 already? Although it does seem a lifetime ago we took the trip to the dude ranch together when you were about 5……..not like yesterday which some people would say
Rick and I wish you the very happiest of birthdays and are very proud of you and what you have accomplished. It was not sappy but dear to read about the 40 things for which you were grateful…..you have a wonderful life supported by a great family….our best to you always..J&R
bobbi cohen says
Hope you had a glorious birthday and may all of your dreams continue to come true! By the way, I am grateful for this great website!
Bobbi
Anita says
Happy Birthday, and welcome to the club, Alison! You hit the nail on so many heads!!!! Life is indeed good, huh? Hope you had a great weekend!
Proud of you,
Anita
Judy says
I’m thankful for a very, very nice daughter in law who is such a good mom and who is a wonderful wife. I love the mention….guess I better make it an annual event to arrive for the birthday and babysit to keep up the points……
Shirley @ gfe--gluten free easily says
Fabulous post, Alison! Life is really full of abundance. Happy 40th!
Shirley
Jamie - Allergiesandme says
Good post…and excellent annual birthday tradition…I will definitely steal this idea! Thanks.
Heather @CeliacFamily says
Happy Birthday! Hope 40 is your best year yet.
Lorraine Didrikson says
HAPPY BIRTHDAY. Enjoy them all.
Lorraine
Rhonda says
Dear Alison: It was such a pleasure meeting you this year. Your smile still radiates with me – this is the most beautiful birthday list. You sure are a very lucky woman, mother, granddaughter, etc. I hope you continue to have the wonderful positive outlook that you have today and I wish you the happiest birthday. Rhonda
alison says
Thanks everyone! And to Sharon, for reminding me not to stand on my head.