That’s right. Today is my birthday. My 69th birthday, as a matter of fact. To celebrate, my Silver Fox and I are headed out shortly to Greenwood, Mississippi. We’ll check into the Alluvian Hotel and enjoy a gourmet couples cooking class tonight at The Viking Cooking School. The class is called “That’s Amore,” and the menu sounds fabulous. Don’t worry. You will be reading all about it and seeing lots of photos, I’m sure.

Then, tomorrow we’ll drive to Troy, Alabama, where my good ol’ Charles Henderson High School classmates from 1968 will try AGAIN to have a 50-year reunion. (The one attempted last summer turned out to be poorly attended, so we demanded a do-over). In particular, I’m looking forward to visiting with a friend I haven’t seen since our 10-year reunion. We were great friends in those long-ago days. She was even a bridesmaid in my wedding. Should be fun.

So, the plans for the weekend sound good and hopefully they will lift my normally bright, sunny disposition out of the doldrums I’ve been mired in lately. Do you ever have times like that? Do you have days when your mortality looms heavily? When you realize that if “the natural order of life” comes about, then you are “one of the next to die?” (I told you I’d been wallowing). Maybe it’s that number — 69. Oh, so close to 70. Maybe it’s watching our oldest grandchild graduate from high school and being reminded of the rapid passing of the years. Maybe it’s reading bad health reports on good friends who are very near my age. Maybe my own health scare from back in March is still weighing heavily on my mind. Whatever the reason, I have GOT to get a grip. As the saying goes, “I’m too blessed to be stressed!”

I may be 69 today, but maybe 69 is the new 49. 🙂

Right this moment, I am NOT facing a medical crisis.

My Silver Fox is healthy — healthy enough to keep our yard looking great, to work as a veterinarian several days a week (diagnosing astutely and performing surgeries), to teach a great lesson to our Life Group on Sundays and write thought-provoking blog posts for the church website, and to keep me laughing.

Our 3 children are doing exactly what God wired them to do — parenting, sharing God’s Word, teaching.

Our almost 14 grandchildren are happy and healthy. (Baby Beatrix is due in July).

I have a fulfilling 4th career as a travel writer and blogger.

I have some very good friends.

I am constantly learning new things, and I have this blog as a platform for sharing what I learn.

I know that God loves me unconditionally and continues to have a plan for my life.

So, Happy Birthday to me. God willing I’ll be here for my next, and next, and next. But, if not, then YOU can know that I’ll be celebrating better than I could have ever asked or imagined.

Psalm 90:12 – “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”

Ephesians 5:15-17 – “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.”

Proverbs 15:15 — “When a man is gloomy, everything seems to go wrong; when he is cheerful, everything seems right!” Well, I want everything to seem right. Off with the gloom. On with the celebration!

And one more thing. Andy Rooney once said, “Life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer it gets to the end, the faster it goes.” So, so true.