Yesterday was another year around the sun, but quite honestly I wasn’t really hyped up for it. I typically love birthdays. I feel seen and heard and I love feeling special even for that one day. When I’m working I usually take a personal day on my birthday so I can take the day to do something nice for myself. It’s my personal self care day. However, this year I was feeling pretty drab, and not in the mood to celebrate. Thanks to my amazing friends that do it up for birthdays and a son that is so generous and thoughtful there was no way they would let me get through this day without honoring me. My son even made a point to wrap my gift with a bow!

Unemployment has been pretty rocky these past few months and it has been a little scary not knowing when I will start earning an income again. The responses from my job applications have been pretty lack. It is hard work and emotionally draining looking for work. It’s work itself and can feel as if there is no reward at the end of the day.

I decided I was tired of feeling down about my situation and I needed to change my mindset. There is a good reason doors closed. I do not understand it, but I need to come to terms with it, so I’m choosing to let it go. It’s not my business anymore for the reason it ended. There is something bigger and better out there for me. More than I can even dream up myself.

We do not always get the answers we need in the moment. Someday I may finally understand, but by then It won’t really matter. What matters now is that I am slowing down and taking time to listen. Listening to the voices around me and receiving the signs that now is the time to start doing the work I love. The work I have always dreamed of. It is time to start putting pen to paper to fulfill my 7 year old’s dream. This is how this blog finally came to be.

I woke up excited the morning of my birthday, grabbed my little Finnie girl and stopped at my favorite neighborhood coffee shop, Folks Cafe. Folks is a diamond. The sweetest couple run this cute little breakfast cafe, located just a few blocks from my house. It is a family owned roastery with an Argentinian flair. When I was working in the roofing industry I was able to help the owners with their roof repair after a major storm and now they treat me like royalty. They already roll up the red carpet for anyone that walks through their door but they go the extra mile for me every time I frequent. They are so grateful for what I did, even though I was just doing my job.

Yesterday was no exception. The owner, Tammy waved at me with a big smile when I walked in and covered my coffee as a birthday gift. What a great way to start my day! It’s such a simple gesture but it goes such a long way. Being grateful and being present and cherishing all the gifts around me has brought me more joy than monetary things. Even on those dark days I sometimes have to remind myself to practice gratefulness. It has the power to pull us out of an ugly space. I’ve learned if we focus on what we don’t have we will continue to get more lack of, but if we focus on the gifts of the world we are open to receiving abundance.

With coffee in hand and my pup by my side we walked the beach that early birthday morning and just breathed in the salt air while the waves crashed against the sand. It was music to my ears. Even spotted a few surfers. Growing older is not as fun as it used to be. Celebrating is fun but darn getting old is for the birds. My bones are starting to creak a little and those pesky gray hairs keep growing. I miss my luscious dark locks, but as my stylist says, I earned those gray hairs.

As I walked in the sand and followed the footprints I remembered the promise that he will never leave my side. Rest child. Breathe. Have faith that everything will work out. Whatever your beliefs are, may it bring you peace during turmoil.

I always loved the poem “Footprints in the Sand”, which reminded me that maybe during this time God is carrying ME!!! He is preparing me for what’s next. I may be getting older but there is still so much life left to live. I am not done. yet.

The rest of the day couldn’t have been more perfect filled with a little shopping, including a vintage dresser find that I want to turn into a coffee station for my rental. The evening sparkled with wine flowing, good food being passed at a darling French restaurant downtown with so many amazing conversations and laughter. My heart is full. These are the people that have helped shape my life here in North Carolina. They are truly my earth angels that make life so much more fun and interesting.

2025 is going to be a truly remarkable year and I’m looking forward to seeing how my creativity will take shape in this next chapter.