First, I want to say that it has been so sad hearing on the news of the floods. What a terrible thing to happen..and the lost ship.
A bit of rain in California but not enough to do a lot of good. Still, it was wonderful to hear it on the roof and to fall asleep with it pattering away!
I must count my blessings.
So..
Tomorrow I will begin my 80th year on this earth. In other words, I will have completed my 79th year of life and will begin living my 80th. So it is my 79th birthday. I never thought of it that way before and when I did, it set me back on my heels a bit! :)
I've had misfortune, had my heart broken by loss, but I've really been fortunate too. I have had love.
I've had misfortune, had my heart broken by loss, but I've really been fortunate too. I have had love.
Lots of it.
Loved by three wonderful husbands, by seven sweet children and fourteen grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren.
I told you about my new great grandson, Ethan Daniel, born in August, but I don't think I told you about the wonderful phone call I received a few days ago. Granddaughter Rachel is expecting and
great grandchild #9 is on the way. We will know next month if it will be a baby girl or boy. March is the expected time he or she will arrive.
This is an exciting time.
That will make 23 grandchildren altogether.
Makes me smile.
The thing is, they are all GOOD and kind people.
I have two wonderful brothers and a sister. All younger. My brother and his wife arrived from New Hampshire! We had a wonderful visit and hard to see them leave.
We both know the time of traveling long distances is coming to an end.
We promised to see one another again soon.
We always do that....
Wish me luck, I'm rounding corner this year.. :) I'll be sure and let you know what it feels like.
yep. I will.
Big hugs and love,
Mona
p.s. I was not going to mention this birthday. I wanted to just let it go by but then I thought.."wait!
There might not be another? I should make the most of this one. I should be glad of it, thankful."...then I laughed at myself, and decided to have all of you celebrate with me. Okay?
Well I dont celebrate birthdays no longer but i will be hitting 58 this year.. My mama would have made 80 this year but unfortunately i lost her last year 2014 march... I think we must celebrate every day of life. To be greatful we wake up each day... I hope you enjoyed your special day... I hope each day here after is full of love and happiness and may you recieve many blessings... Happy October with love Janice
ReplyDeleteI think you have the right idea! Celebrate each and every birthday! My Louis Dean will be 79 next month.He, too, is rounding a corner and I am following right along behind him. Isn't it amazing that 'old age' isn't what it used to be? I am so grateful for good health and the peace and contentment I have found in this late autumn/early winter season of life.
ReplyDeleteYou have such a beautiful family! I just spent a few minutes scrolling down the side bar and meeting everyone. How blessed you are! I love the way you continue to embrace LIFE!!! Happy Birthday!!!
Happy Birthday Mona. I am hoping you have many more. Love each day. Make as many memories as you can. Blessings, xoxo,Susie
ReplyDeleteOh Mona...Happy Birthday dear friend! I know you'll celebrate and enjoy the day because that's how you roll.....you take life's good and bad and keep on truckin'! I remember my Mom's 70's birthday when she said she was on the 10 year plan. She said nobody in her family ever lived to be 80 so she was going to make the most of her last years....ha! She's going to be 90 in May and she's not making any plans except to enjoy each day as a gift. So eat your cake..a big piece...and throw in some icecream...a big scoop....and smile and say "79 is the next 50!" You go girl! Congrats on your new Great-grandchild!
ReplyDeleteMona, Happy Birthday! May you have a wonderful birthday filled with Love, Family, Friends, Fun, Cake, and Presents!
ReplyDeleteBest Wishes,
Susie Donahue
Happy birthday, Mona...and many more!
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday, Mona! Each day is a gift and you have been truly blessed. I hope this next year is the best yet. You are so sweet and always make the best of everything that comes your way. I'm so glad you got to visit with your brother. What a treat!
ReplyDeleteHAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU
ReplyDeleteHAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU
HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR MONA
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU
This is YOUR day . . . sit back and enjoy the LOVE!
Feel this HUG right now . . . Did you feel it . . . great!
{{ }} [[[ ]]] ((((( ))))) ( more hugs )
that is exactly what i told my hubby on Oct 1st. he was 79 and I said you are done with 79 years and starting on your 80th. we need to enjoy all that we have. happy birthday and we are here to celebrate with you... wow and wow again on all those grands and great grands.
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday, Mona, and the best year you've ever had!
ReplyDeleteWishing the most beautiful birthday to a beautiful lady! Perhaps it is how we embrace life.....those of us who are aging yet, are thankful for each day and celebrate those special moments, however small. may be the happiest! It's our choice isn't it? Hope your special day was a wonderful celebration!
ReplyDeleteEach year and each day is a gift from God! Happy birthday and YES, we will all celebrate with you! Sending HUGS and PRAYERS for happy days and good health!
ReplyDeleteI wish you the happiest of birthdays!! As we travel through life the corners are the hardest, why we have to run into them I'll never understand. You're a gracious lady who has been blessed beyond measure. I only pray when I hit the proud 80 I do it has well as you have. Much love and many hugs fondly ~lynne~
ReplyDeletehappy happy birthday mona!!! and what great news about the new grandchild!
ReplyDeleteyou are such a beautiful woman, inside and out,, Happy Birthday to you,, and congratulations to you on another grand child!
ReplyDeleteIt is so good seeing you post again. Happy Birthday Mona may you have many more. You are blessed with a wonderful family . Have a blessed day. Madeline
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday to one of the sweetest ladies I know.....you are a blessing to us all! hugs....
ReplyDeleteOops! I am afraid you are in for even more of a shock...I saw the number 80 at the beginning of your post, got so carried away by my excitement and immediately sent off an email wishing you a Happy 80th Birthday...then, returned to read the rest of your post...I am now waiting for the floorboards to open up and swallow me! So...here I go again, correctly this time...Happy 79th Birthday, dear sweet Mona!
ReplyDeleteWhen you do eventually turn 80, no one will believe you anyway, as you certainly don't look a day over 70!
This comes with much love and a very special hug!!!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a delightful way, to come back to blogging!!!!!!!!
And it certainly is a Birthday worth paying attention to. :-)
My view of Birthdays? I only do what I want to do, on my Birthday. No household chores. No duties. No gotta-do's. No! Just what I choose. For a whole 24 hours.
So I wish this, for you. Revel in just what pleases you. !!!!!!!!
Gentle hugs,
Tessa
And btw, your blog looks fantastic!!!!!! I love all the white background. It's make your posts stand out. The entire spotlight is on your posts. Which to me, is the best way to blog.
ReplyDeleteWith Backgrounds, trying to grab the reader's attention..... Well, the readers are drawn this way and that way.
But here, the lovely Banner greets you. And the post shows up, front and center. I happen to love it.
Not that you have to! Just sayin'.......
Gentle hugs,
Tessa
Happy Birthday dear Mona. I am writing from Michigan. I want you to know I really enjoy reading your blog. I don't blog but I read them. I admire you so much. Your flower gardens and patios are always so beautiful. I would love to be your neighbor and come sit on your beautiful patio and visit. Have a great birthday-and many more.
ReplyDeleteHappiest of Birthdays to you sweet Mona. You should celebrate everyday of your life as should your friends and family. Even if one has not formerly met your family, all you have to do is read your posts and look at the pictures of your family to know your legacy is something to be proud of.
ReplyDeleteSherry
Happy Birthday my friend :-)
ReplyDeleteMay it be filled with lots of delicious and unhealthy things to eat :-)
Christer.
Wishing you love, happiness and health on this, your 79th birthday. What a fabulous life you have had and are still enjoying each and every day. Love you very much! xox
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday, have a wonderful celebration.
ReplyDeleteHugs
Happy Birthday! May you be blessed!
ReplyDeleteOh wow, Mona, Happy, Happy Birthday and congrats on the new grands.
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday dear heart. I ask myself sometimes how could I be this old? I cannot account for the time but alas, it has passed. You look great....and I guess there is no used to worrying about our ages. Lets just be glad we are on the top side of the dirt!!! You have a lot of good years to go! I did not know Balisha has passed away!!!! That was shocking. Do we know what happened? I will check her blog and see. I have really been behind reading blogs. Again...Happy Birthday you young chicky you!
ReplyDeleteYeah MONa!! Celebrate each and every day we are given.. they are all a gift from God! Each new day a gift to unwrap one minute at a time.. the sour moments make the sweeter moments taste that much sweeter! much love to you and wishes that you will get to celebrate LOTS more birthdays!!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday Mona!!
xoxoxoxoxoxoxo!
vivian
Happy birthday my friend!! Yov are a blessing to so many!!!
ReplyDeleteHope you had a very happy birthday, Mona!
ReplyDeleteI hope you had a beautiful birthday!
ReplyDeleteMy very best, but belated, Happy Birthday wishes Mona. Now I wish I had read this post earlier, but hope that you not only had a wonderful first day celebration, but that it continues all year long to the very last day! You do have a life full of family and love, despite the sadness, but one overrules the other. Thanks for sharing. You are a very Special person!
ReplyDeleteWow what a wonderful write up.
ReplyDeleteThe underlying fact is - they are all GOOD and kind people.
You are truly blessed, something all would not get in this world.
And I am sure all of them will be around you again for the NEXT B'day :-)
hi Mona, just stopped in to see how you're doing this week
ReplyDeletehi Mona, just stopped in to see how you're doing this week
ReplyDeleteHi, Mona...and a Happy Belated Birthday. My 78th will be New Year's Eve...yes, ma'am....we are getting "on up there" in years.
ReplyDeleteI thought of you when we went thru Calif last week on our trip...San Fran area, Thru Napa Valley, Sonoma, giant redwoods...
such a beautiful coast line...
Glad you had some rain...we've had some the last two days and it's soooooo awesome.
xo
Well Hello, It's been awhile since I hare posted but I am so trying to get back to it. as always love your blog Mona. What is that old saying__ You can't keep a good woman down.
ReplyDeleteBarbara