Happy 43rd Birthday To Me...

My birthday ended about 8 minutes ago. So, I am officially 43 years of age. I had many good wishes sent through Facebook from high school friends, fun gifts from current friends (like donuts from Heidi!), and a delightful afternoon spent with mom and Walt, who generously spoiled me with goodies this year. Then, I did something I should NOT have done. I read my senior year high school yearbook from cover to cover. I suddenly saw how far away those years, those faces, those hairlines, have gone. And then, I felt very, very old. It was nostalgic, bittersweet, funny, and something that was actually hard to do. Several teachers and friends have died, so they don't have a chance to sit on the floor near midnight of a birthday and reminisce like I did. Now I feel both older, and sadder, yet thrilled to have known so many wonderful people, many of whom contacted me today.

So, I leave you with some childhood photos taken long ago, although it seems like yesterday, and a quote that will explain it all, and will, I hope, help us to value time we have NOW rather than lamenting days or moments long gone by:

NOTHING IS FARTHER AWAY THAN ONE MINUTE AGO.

The Last Quotes: #5 and #6

As you digest your Xmas ham and sugar cookies (or your mince pies and "turpigen" as pictured here), I'd like to share with you the last two quotes:

Quote #5:
"It is Christmas in the heart that puts Christmas in the air." - Ellis

Quote #6:
If you ever have the opportunity to see Patrick Stewart perform A Christmas Carol, his one-man retelling of the classic story, TAKE IT! Drive anywhere and pay anything to see him perform that show. From the moment it starts, you totally forget you are watching one man on an almost empty stage. You are transported to Victorian England and can see every character and every detail through his portrayal. You can rent the film version that was released on TNT and is now on DVD, but it isn't the quite as perfect as watching him do it on stage. So, my final Xmas quote comes from that story...

"I will honour Christmas in my heart and try to keep it all the year." - Dickens

(By the way, if you don't know what "turpigen" is, look it up! You can also induldge in "turducken" if the mood strikes you...you've got to love the English.)

Quote #4

Someone named Turner said something that is a bit more positive than quote #3:

"Oh let's never grow too old to smile anew when Christmas comes."

Quote #3

This quote makes me feel a bit sad and nostalgic.

"There's nothing sadder in this world than to awaken Christmas morning and not be a child."
Erma Bombeck

Quote #2

"Christmas is a necessity. There has to be one day of the year to remind us that we're here for something else besides ourselves."
Eric Sevareid

Quote #1

"Christmas is doing a little something extra for someone else." Charles Schulz


I have collected some meaningful quotes that express my feelings for this season. Those of you who know me well know that I am a secular person, but Christmastime seems to bring a certain feeling and nostalgia no matter what you believe or don't believe. So, I'd like to share a few quotes with you over the next couple of days, and add some pictures if I can.

You can interpret the quotes however you wish and find your own meaning, but I hope you will join me in trying to keep these positive and nostalgic feelings throughout the entire year, and not just for these few weeks. Regardless, I hope you have (in the words of the British) a "Happy Christmas."


(photo taken at Canterbury Cathedral, Kent, England)