Dear Friends,
I really appreciate all the Happy Birthday wishes extended my way this past weekend. Thank you so much!
Even though I am happy to tell you I am starting my 83rd year on earth, I am also happy to tell you that I am a fan of Jack Benny. Now, if you are too young to remember who Jack Benny was (or you are in another country where Jack Benny was not a nationally known figure), let me tell you: Jack Benny was a comedian who embraced 39 – and decided to stay that age forever more!
Actually, I embrace aging (I wrote a blog using that title once) – I I have no desire to be stuck at 39 or any other age.
How about you?
http://www.janbeek.blog/embrace-aging
Each year brings new insights. Each year brings new joys. Each year brings new challenges. I don’t want to miss any of them.
How about you?
“Wisdom belongs to the aged, and understanding to the old. Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the glory of children is their fathers. Moses was 120 years old when he died, yet his eyesight was clear, and he was as strong as ever. Those who are older should speak, for wisdom comes with age.”
Each day I pray for wisdom. Each day I ask God to increase my understanding and I thank the Holy Spirit for the fruits of the spirit that are mine: LOVE, JOY AND PEACE. And I ask God to help me with the other fruits of the spirit: patience, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control… those that I work to increase as I mature in my faith.
How about you?
As I gather up those birthdays and mature in my faith, I remember to keep a child-like spirit. Enjoy that song. Sing it often. Teach it to your grandchildren. Sing it with your great-grandchildren. Put it in your heart.
You can’t be a lemon or a grape if you wanna be a fruit of the spirit!! Who wants to grow up to be a lemon anyway?
Work on that patience, Jan … your great-grandchildren need to see you model it! And your grand-dog needs you to exercise that gentleness and kindness, too. Ain’t always easy.
How about you?
and I need patience, kindness and gentleness in abundance!
On my birthday, Ty (our son) and Bob went out fishing (not catching… just fishing) … and that required a lot of patience! I went along for the joy of the ride. It was cool on the water in the morning, but the afternoon warmed up.
That evening Ty and our daughter-in-law, Monika, Bob & I went in to Bozeman for dinner and dessert. We had a delightful time at a table out front of “Hooked Sushi” enjoying the music being played down the sidewalk a half a block, and the people and dogs walking by. Such fun!
Only in a college town would you find this kind of vibrancy. I love it!
We went after dinner to a very popular ice cream store … and had great fun with some college students who were in line ahead of us. Look at this cute kid! (Ya, I had fun teasing him …)
Pretty sky, huh?
bottle of wine waiting for us –
a gift from our dear neighbors.
Thank you, Charlie & Janet!
Thank you, Hope and Drew!
with a really cute card!
Such fun! So nice of them!
I loved hearing her sing to me – from Maryland to Montana <3
sent us a picture of her beautiful flowers at
their restaurant in Switzerland.
Lovely, huh?
Sunday afternoon Bob, Ty & Monika went kayaking/paddleboarding while TazE & I found a shady spot and relaxed.
With such good company, I put my book aside
and TazE left the shade to get acquainted.
Lots of forest fires in the area –
and the wind blows the smoke into our
little piece of Paradise on Earth.
You can barely see the mountains outlined back there… not a typically beautiful day on Ennis Lake. Pray for the forest fires to be contained and the firefighters to be safe!
at Ennis Lake last year with the swans clustered.
at Ennis Lake last winter…
See, you’re supposed to see the mountains!
And we returned home
to enjoy our last evening together.
Ty & Monika left this morning…
for coming to help make
my 82nd birthday so memorable and special.
relaxing, and looking forward to an evening
watching the Olympic swimmers.
What are you doing this Monday evening besides surfing the net?
Forever 39 at heart…
Thanks to all the friends who sent greetings.
I love you!
See ya tomorrow (God willing)
Hugs,
JanBeek
Comments on: "Embrace Birthdays (stay 39!)" (17)
I’m so glad you had a memorable birthday! Thank you for sharing the day with us with your marvelous photos. I love the one of TazE stretching! You’re just the cutest and youngest 82 year old I’ve ever met! I hope I can look that good in 28 years! I love you! 🥰
Thank you for your sweet comment, Laina. You’re the best! <3
Lovely photographs – so pleased you could be together
It does make the days more special when we can share them with loved ones, doesn’t it?
Indeed
What a fabulous time! Family, friends, and new friend! Super glad it was perfectly memorable! Happy Birthday!
Thank you, {{{Jodie}}}. It was memorable, indeed! Wish you could have been here to share it, too!! <3 Thanks for checking it out vicariously. <3
So very inspirational! (I think I say that a lot!) Beautiful pictures. Lots of love all around there.
Thank you so much for visiting, sharing the joy vicariously, and taking time to comment. I appreciate you! When is YOUR birthday?
Great post Jan! As long as you still feel 39, you can be any age you wish!!
Thanks, {{{Dwight}}} <3 Most days I actually feel better than I did at 39! Less stress, more joy, less demands, more peace! Life is good! How about you?
Yes I agree… teaching was a very stressful occupation!
Happy Birthday
Thank you! It was!! And July is full of all kinds of reasons to celebrate, isn’t it? When is YOUR birthday?
My birthday is in January my oldest daughter was born on mine. A gift of love from above. My son is July 3
How fun to have a child born on your birthday! <3 And your son gets to have all the USA anticipate his special day as they get ready for the 4th and set off their fireworks a day early!!
True my younger daughter is in June