It’s a milestone today, July 18th. My 60th Birthday. Though not official until 11:55pm.

A big warm hug and a Happy Birthday wish from my sweet hubby began my morning.

Then an e-mail Message that made me smile from long time follower of my blog, a dear man in his 80s named Jerry:

“Yesterday, I passed a restaurant in my neighborhood and noticed, as I have many times, the sign on their awning: Established In 1963.

Am I correct in remembering that someone I know was also established in 1963?

If so, accept my wishes for a very happy day.”

Followed by a message from my dear mom sharing with me how she remembers how she would push me around in a buggy (and of course, buggy is a term that is no longer used!) While I don’t remember per say, I can definitely feel the deeply loving sacredness of that. A part of me wishing I could go back to that time of innocence and in the safe and protecting arms and care of my mom.

And then a video birthday serenade from my 3-year old great niece twins and their two friends. So sweet and special!

As I sat at my vanity in my bedroom getting ready for the day I reflected on my many blessings. It was then I caught the framed photo of myself on the wall behind me reflected in the mirror.

Taken in the summer of 1992 having just turned 31. The collage of photos taken by my mom and a gift I’d given to my husband for Christmas that same year.

A bittersweet moment as I felt emotions flood through me. How a part of me wishes I could go back and love that 30-year old more and not been so critical of her.

Then smiling as I thought about Jerry’s message and the fact that indeed, I was Established in 1963. Isn’t that such a great way to think of the day we were born? And now my 60-year old self looking at her 30-year old self and appreciating the evolution I’ve gone through the last thirty years.

How much kinder and loving I am toward myself. How I love myself so much more than I used to. Though yes, I can still have my moments. But it is the wise part of me that reminds me it’s perfectly OK to be a work in progress. And most importantly, to be gentle and compassionate with myself, which I’m apt to do more of these days.

As a birthday gift to myself I had an astrology reading with Martha Alter Hines yesterday. What a blessing that was to see myself through the wisdom of the stars, planets, and Universe. And even better, to understand that the space I am in now, one much like that of a butterfly in a chrysalis – which Martha saw me as and encouraged me to embrace – and to allow what needs to be shed to fall away as another transformation of me is in its evolution until March of 2024.

This cycle of yet another rebirth of another version of myself is in process and this newer version of self that is taking place that will be with me for the next thirty years. How uncomfortable that can feel at times as uncertainty resides beside this birthing process and as I feel reaching sixty is now about the autumn of my life.

But what a gift that reading was as I feel the messages from it moving through me and as I integrate them and also have a sense of clarity taking place though I can’t quite name all of it, but can feel a positive energetic shift occurring.

Cheers to the next thirty!

XO

Barb

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