Simple Suggestion #165... Have a simple birthday

That's what I'm doing today. More than half of my own little family is missing in action (two in Moscow, one off on a school band trip), and I have a wicked spring cold. So a simple birthday is in order.

Actually, it would still be in order even if everything else was as usual. Simple celebrations that cost the planet nothing are the best. Can you remember your birthday gifts from the last 10 years running? Neither can I. But I do remember being with my family and friends for most of them.

Presence is better than presents. In my books, no gifts are necessary (though my Auntie Bernie gave me a mango, my neighbour Mary Anne gave me a sea holly plant for my garden and a lovely bouquet of lilacs, and my travelers threw me a little party with a cake -- and gave me an iPod of all things -- before they flew the coop).

But today is simpler -- I'm opting to celebrate my date of arrival on this planet by naming one gift for which I am grateful for each year that I've been alive, in no particular order:

My parents
My sisters
My multitude of relatives -- inlaws and outlaws!
Lee, my marvelous man
Lee's family (inlaws, outlaws, nieces and nephews)
Our delightful daughters
My dream home (in which I am living)
The garden which delights me to no end
My neighbourhood (even prettier today than yesterday)
My neighbours and friends, near and far
Pebbles the crazy budgie
Shadow the crazy puppy
Our bed and blankets
My guitar
Music
All my musician friends
Sunlight
Rain and other precipitation
Four very different seasons
Our girls' school
Teachers
Doctors and nurses
Edmonton
Its river valley
Trees
Public transportation
Hiking trails
Bicycles
Camping
Chocolate
Fresh air
Hugs and all that
Letters
Beer
Rock 'n' roll
Operas
Art galleries
Horses
Books and book clubs
Boats
Peanut butter
God
Languages
Roman Catholic Women Priests
Naps
Carousels
Babies
Dancing and singing

Okay, so that's not a complete list by any means, and there are a few more there than years I've actually been around, but once I get started, it's hard to stop. What a wonderful life I have!

Thanks, Mom, Dad, and God, for giving it to me!

P.S. Looking for more Simple Suggestions? Click here.