Birthdays

I have oftened pondered the idea of birthdays. The celebration of the day you were born. The year we 'add on' to each anniversary. Once I thought turning 13 was a milestone, then 16 (legal driving age), then 18, then 21, then 30, 40, 50, 55, and 60. "Why 13 (thirteen)?" The beginning teen years; the year one becomes independent and grown up. A young lady. That was my wish. Whether I accomplished those things at such an early age is unclear. 18 and 21; in one State, 18 was a legal drinking age and in another it was 21. In Canada, I think it went from 21 years old to 19 years old. Either way, one of my claims, was ignoring the legal drinking age! But voting; now that was another story. 21 has always been very important to me. I was 21 in 1970. I was in Canada, no longer living in the United States; unable to vote there and unable to vote here; it meant getting my Canadian Citizenship to be able to have a say in how my government would make decisions (what did I know?). It took me a few years, but I gained my citizenship in 1976. I now exercise my right to vote when the opportunity presents itself; keep in mind our Federal election is only 17 days away - I need to do some serious homework before then. Right now, in Canada, and I imagine throughout the world, many eyes are focusing on the upcoming Royal Wedding, only a mere 14 days away. But I digress... 30 passed me by, then 40. Wow 40. I had no idea it would be such a tremulous year for me, until I reflect back.. At 40, I felt I'd turn some corners, made some important life altering decisions and began to fully appreciate where I'd been and where I was going. 50 was just another year with a new decade in front of me ("Why 55?", you ask - the year of my retirement!) and 60 was just another year, BUT oops - I had major health problems the year I turned 60. I just realized that age 60 went hand and hand with my pancreatic attack. Yikes. A near death experience, months in the hospital, and finally, major surgery. My niece just wrote about the number '3' and things that are in 3's. Since that turning point - age 60 onward - I have had 3 major changes in my life. Health issues (resolved), Jeremy's death and Mom's passing on. Life altering events. On days, like today, when the sun shines, the moon is full and bright, and I open my heart; I breath deep and realize how fortunate I am. I am truly, truly grateful for all that I have had and all that I have. These 60 years plus 2 are good and 62 is just another number. I have a loving family, wonderful friends, a supportive husband, and I am blessed. 62. Yahoo! Happy birthday to me.