Birthday Wishes

Before Facebook, I would receive a good number of birthday wishes from my students, parents and family.  A few of my friends would remember with cards and phone calls.  Now, the world seems to respond to my birthday. This year there were over 400 Facebook posts alone.  Not to mention texts, phone calls, emails, and a couple of cards.  I tried to respond to each Facebook post and text messages, emails and cards.  It was a bit overwhelming but I wanted to express my gratitude.  To this day, I feel unworthy of all this attention.

This doesn't count the belated birthday wishes, the ones that came the day before or ones that were tagged onto another post.  Still, 394?  Amazing, and I feel humbled by the attention!

 Bob cooked a wonderful meal of a pan fried bone-in pork chop with diced acorn squash that was roasted with a little balsamic vinegar.  He topped this with white asparagus and served it all with home baked garlic bread.  We had a white chocolate cheesecake slice for dessert.

My birthday gift was a tiny Santa charm for my Pandora bracelet.  During my birthday month I have received two University of Missouri tree ornaments, two Pandora beads for my Christmas bracelet and a dinner out to Tenacious Eats to see The Wizard of Oz.  ALWAYS a great time.

When I was diagnosed with cancer five years ago, I didn't allow myself to hope that I would have a 56th birthday.  Here I am, stronger, healthier and happier!  Here's to the 57th!