Five on Friday: Celebrating My Birthday Week

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"There are two great days in a person’s life – 

the day we are born and the day we discover why."

WILLIAM BARCLAY

My birthday has snuck up on me this year. Of course I knew it was coming but still the weeks have flown. And as I write this post on the eve of my birthday, it certainly doesn't seem possible to have reached the grand age of 69 years. My goodness, wasn't it just yesterday that I celebrated my 60th with a wee visit to Oxford, the city of 'dreaming spires' and the home of my soul.

- One -

We have not been best pleased with the weather this week. It's not supposed to be this wintry anymore, we say with hands on our hips. We get a warmish day here and there, then we think, okay, now spring is here. My deep purple crocuses were coming up all sweet and innocent in the sun warming days. And then yet another blast of winter—snow, freezing temperatures, and wind—settles for a few more days. As I mentioned in a note to a dear friend, a lesson can be gleaned from these little brave souls of nature. I looked out my study window and saw the green shoots standing sturdily amidst the snow. They knew to just wait it out. (I love winter, but on my birthday, I'd much prefer pussy willows and spring bulbs.)

 

- Two -

I believe that no matter what condition you are

in when someone close to your heart remembers

your birthday and wishes you a happy birthday,

you feel happy.

A. Singla

It's true. I feel happy. My mail box has been filling

with birthday cards and delightful surprises all week.

Cards from friends near and far. I am well blessed to

 have such lovely people in my life.

- Three -

I've been indulging in a little BritBox watching. I had taken advantage of a 7-day free trial through Prime to watch a series with David Suchet travelling where Agatha Christie once travelled. With the free week nearly up, I went to cancel, except they offered me three months for $2.75/mo instead of the usual $10.99/mo. Well, how can a person refuse such a bargain. My first film has been to watch Persuasion with Amanda Root as Anne Elliot and Ciarán Hinds as Captain Wentworth. There are none finer, in my books, than these two to portray one of my favourite Jane Austen novels.

- Four -

A dozen gorgeous red and pink roses

from my sweetheart. He really is a sweetheart!

- Five -

 A collection of 'eldering' birthday quotes that lift my spirits this week.

"Anyone who keeps the ability to see

beauty never grows old."

Franz Kafka

"All we have to decide is what to do

with the time that is given us."

J.R.R. Tolkien

"With long life will I satisfy [you]

and show [you] my salvation."

from Psalm 91 (NIV)

"[You] will still bear fruit in old age,

[you] will stay fresh and green."

from Psalm 92:14 (NIV)

   

I opened today's post with those words attributed to William Barclay. And as I close, I want to muse a moment on them. At age 69, I hope after all these years I have figured out why I was born.

I believe God made me for a purpose.

He made me fast. And when I run I feel his pleasure.

Eric Liddell, in the movie Chariots of Fire

(I have often thought of those words in relation

to my own life, especially to my writing life. He made

me good with words, and when I write I feel his pleasure.)

*

He has good works for me to do.

- to love him and to love my neighbour.

- to live in gratitude and thankfulness.

- to live in the beauty of kindness, creativity,

and companionship.

On the eve of my birthday, as I sat at my desk writing this post, the grey skies had cleared. And the setting sun filled my room with that soft, gold light... filling my soul with joy. In my heart, at least, Spring had arrived.

❦

Wishing you a beautiful week ahead,

Brenda

My Blogging Schedule:

I post on Fridays