Here we are, the last day of the month of July- aka birthday month for me. It is hard to believe that as I sit typing this- it’s a cool 63 degrees, windy, with the threat of rain. Yet- despite the non summer feel to the air- I am content. I feel as though Mother Nature thus far has gifted me with the perfect summer temperatures- not too warm, simply my ideal temps. For that I am grateful & my hope is the rest of the summer reflects these same temps and also with some time to have a BBQ or two in the garden.
How can I begin to talk about how beautiful this month has been? After the last two years of so much pain, loss and still being in the process of healing- I finally have my joy back. It doesn’t mean that I’ll never have pain or loss again, as I know in the journey of life there is an ebb and flow, there is no constant, yet the important part is to give ourselves space to do what we need in that moment & sometimes that’s to sit still.
This month started with an amazing opportunity that I am still pinching myself about and finding it difficult to believe it is real. I can’t say a lot about it- other than I may not actually believe it until I physically see it. But it can mean something more for me in the long term- which has me realizing that it’s time to make some shifts in my life. Again.
Ironically- it falls in alignment with the changes I have already been making, and while some of it is scary- it’s exciting at the same time.
So I got everything submitted a few days before the deadline and I am excited at the possibilities.
My birthday- what can I even say about that- I spent a morning with Anna and Bobbi pre birthday- Marcel surprised me with the lemon vase I’ve been drooling over for years- I spent a weekend at TH with Desere, with a surprise visit from Lisa and Ray, which was filled with relaxation and soul filling laughter.
The highlight of my birthday was the celebration on the boat- charcuterie- with Niki, Lisa, Desere and the guys. It was filled with laughter, beautiful sights, a little rain (which had us docked under a bridge enjoying dinner) and was charming in and of itself. A little indulgence and a purely blissful evening. Those moments are the ones that I appreciate more than anything now after all the time of being apart and being unable to hug. It was absolutely wonderful to actually hug again.
Cruising past the Zaanse Schanse- simply being in the moment with some of my favorite people and enjoying every second. It’s definitely a birthday experience for the record books and one I would love to repeat this summer- if possible.
I spent a couple of mornings at the beach at Aloha – partaking in Appeltaart and good conversation with Desere.
Despite thinking I wasn’t going to have a birthday cake- in the end- I did- and made the cake that started it all for me- the Chocolate cake- with chocolate icing- It’s rich, indulgent and pure chocolate perfection. It is the cake that I first made from scratch- the cake that I won best of .. in at the county fair at a young age and competing with the adults. I shared it with Sylvia and Shari- who I had the honor of spending the day with at the beach- and being present when Shari spread some of her dads ashes in the North Sea. It was a beautiful moment- and I was honored she wanted us there in that moment of honoring a man we have never met.
I’ve eaten a lot of gelato from my favorite spot- and today will be the last day of that- then I’ll go back to less indulgent and more healthier options. After all- can’t live on gelato alone.
August promises to be beautiful- With new opportunities- and also I am closing this month full of optimism for the new month. That my body will continue to reward me for taking care of it- my knee pain will continue to subside and I will continue to be surrounded with amazing people, plus be open to meeting new people and experiences.
That love, kindness and acceptance will rule.