I'm fifty-nine, how devine!

I'm fifty-nine.
How divine!

There will only ever be one day where I celebrate the first day of the last year in my fifties. That is today. And it is off to a brilliant start!

I am recalling my forty-ninth birthday and making a conscious decision to celebrate the year. And I did, in so many ways. I think it was my first real attempt at being very, very present in my life. Five years had passed from when I made some huge lifestyle changes, losing over one hundred pounds and miraculously, it stayed off!

While I cannot recall every single day of that year, I know that I celebrated it a lot, made some more big lifestyle changes, including moving my nest to the southwest end of town to a really nice apartment. I sought out and acquired new job, making good money. In 1993, when I decided to really concentrate on my physical and emotional well being, I gave up the big fat job - took a 50% cut in pay and sort of took myself apart emotionally and got glued back together right. That must have been super glue or gorilla glue, because I'm still put back together right. What a miracle!

In June of 1998, I met David! Wow, now that is what I call the icing on the birthday cake of life! He was everything I ever could have wanted in a man. What fun to be dating, and feeling like an 18 year-older, trapped in a 49 year old body!

On my 49th birthday, a girlfriend organized a big gift to me - friends and family chipped together and bought me the Richard Petty Driving Experience! Yes, folks, I drove a race car 118.1 mph! I blasted my way right into the fifties! Today I'm preparing to slide out in grand style, a year of celebration.

Today I'm hanging out, by myself. Dave had an opportunity to work, and I encouraged him to take it. I wanted a day to reflect, to enjoy who I am and think about all the miracles and wonder in my life. Tonight we'll start celebrating together. And it won't be around food! It will be around the gift of this beautiful love we share. We're in Clermont, in the motorhome so, maybe we can go over to one of the Disney parks and watch the fireworks. That would be fun. I just want to hold his hand, and make sure he knows how much I love him. He's the best birthday gift of all.

I also want to take Pooh Bear for a nice bike ride. It's overcast and that means a bit cooler than the usual Florida heat. Just a bit, mind you. She needs a bath too. No need to be all focused on myself just because of a day on the calendar. And that little dog ... her unconditional love is the best birthday gift of all.

My mother called this morning. That is a miracle because she has dementia. But she remembered my birthday! I bet my sister Joanne reminded her but whatever, how wonderful to have my sweet, 87 year old mother think about me today. I think I will send her a bouquet of flowers and thank her for having me. Joanne and her little granddaughter, Lily called and sang happy birthday! Maybe my mom and sister calling are the best birthday gifts of all.

Tomorrow evening , Dave and I will go to church and then out with my step kids, my brother and my niece's families - 8 of us to a Chinese restaurant for dinner. That's my favorite cuisine - Chinese. Can you imagine, my step son wants to spend time with me. And the other son is away for several weeks doing his military obligation, but his girlfriend wants to spend time with me. My brother, his wife, his daughter and her husband all want to spend time with me. That must truly be the best gift ...

Oh my, I cannot decide what is the best birthday gift of all.

I've prayed, meditated, eaten a healthy, tasty breakfast and am journaling now. Nice way to be starting the celebration of my fifty-ninth year.

You know, it is never to late to start celebrating YOUR life. You dont' need a birthday to do it. Why not celebrate with me today?
Love, Gerri
trust God and buy broccoli

Let Freedom Ring

Did Independence Day make you more grateful for your freedom? Freedom is exhilarating but can have a price.

I always walk my little dog, Pooh Bear, on a leash because we live on the edge of the woods. When she was a puppy, I took her to obedience school and while she learned the basic commands very well, Pooh Bear is basically a free spirit. Before I started coaching, Pooh Bear went to my office with me. When we got home, I'd allow her to jump out of the car and run to the door.

Once however, Pooh Bear decided that she'd rather go visit her Maltese friend Benji, two doors up. She ran like lightning, to Benji's house, with me in close pursuit, kicking off my heels to run faster, but not able to reach her. Benji wasn't home, but suddenly she spotted an armadillo and tried to chase him into the woods.

There I was, screaming the commands we learned at school, but to my terror and dismay, to no avail. I caught her at the edge of the woods as she paused for a moment to debate the logic of following her prey into the brush. Thank God! We've seen gators, bobcats, snakes and other critters roaming around here. Freedom can have a price, but gratefully, Pooh Bear did not have to pay it. Now we take her to a doggie park where she can enjoy freedom with safe boundaries.
Pooh made her initial break for freedom on a late afternoon in the spring. When will you make yours? You too can take a chance, when the conditions are right, knowing that in your own way, you were built to run free and play. If you don't set yourself free, what will be the purpose of your life?

Is the quality of one's life is dependant on feeling one's freedom, and living the design that is you? What is that design? If you are a puppy, your life needs to be all about carefree running and feeling the joy of life. You, of course, are not a puppy, but what sense is there in being you, if you don't really let yourself free once in a while and chase an armadillo?

Some people never learn their heart's design. Why? Fear of taking a risk? Not enough support? Why don't you color outside the lines? Sure, all dream-chasing has it's pitfalls, but the benefits just could be beyond our wildest imagination!

I don't really 'sell' coaching on my blog, but if you have never experienced coaching, why not give it a try? Any coach worth his or her salt gives complimentary sessions, an easy, inexpensive way for you to see if coaching is right for you. If you want more information, just shoot me an email.

Nine years ago on July 2nd I had my first date with Dave. I remember how it felt just like it was yesterday - new, exciting, a little scary. I love when I get to feel that gooooood stuff. I remember how I used food as a drug so I wouldn't have to feel the yucky ones but didn't have a clue that the spice of life goes right out the window with the lemons.

So there I was, with this handsome devil and I couldn't ever remember feeling this stuff since high school! He was just being sweet, attentive and gentlemanly. How do you deal with that? I was so thrilled to be with him and he certainlyseemed enamored with me too. Can you imagine, being in a 49 year old body and the emotional level of maybe an 18 year older? Giggly, flirty, all that nice, young woman stuff; I had it back. I had the opportunity to enjoy the company of a really, really nice man.

That's where it all started. We took it slow, and two years later, I changed my last name to his. And nine years later, I'm still stupid in love. That sure beats being face first in a pizza.