Today is my Birthday and it’s the third year I’ve celebrated in Franklin. It’s very different having a birthday here than it was in Los Angeles. 

I’m finding that the older I get, the more I reflect on my life when the birthday rolls around. I remember the parties and the lunches with girlfriends, or the dinners with just my husband and me. I remember special afternoon tea parties with just my daughter.

I am a big believer in celebrating your birthday for as long as you want. After all, it’s your miracle day…the day you – just YOU entered the world, with all your magic and unique gifts. I say celebrate.

This year, I’m more in reflection than ever before; maybe because I’ve been on quite a journey since packing up my life and moving to Franklin, TN. 

I thought I’d share some of my realizations with you that came only because I’ve spent time reflecting. 

Leaving my lifelong home and moving to a small town where I knew no one and had no job is hard…I mean really hard…harder than I ever imagined. I’m brave and I’m proud of it. 

I can do hard things because I’m brave. 

Family (even a small amount of family) makes me feel safe. 

I can make new friends. This is HUGE! We never know if we can make new friends or how we’ll be received. I can make new friends. I have made new friends and each one of them fills my soul in a special way. Thank you new Friends.

I’ve also Learned that not everyone sticks around for very long and I’ll never know why. 

I’ve learned to let go of perfection and control (which were merely illusions all along) and I’m happier because of it.

I’ve learned to trust God. Well, truth be told, I’m learning to trust God. I’m leaning in to faith and because I’m a flawed human being, that isn’t always easy. I’m learning to keep trying harder. 

Living close to God’s playground makes the journey much easier. 

1,999.5 miles is a long way from Los Angeles. I’ve had to accept that with that distance, some people have slowly left my life. It makes me sad, but I try to understand.

I’ve learned that no matter where you live, we’re all connected because we share the same feelings. We humans need community.

I’ve learned that Southern stereotypes exist and they aren’t true. 

I’ve learned that hard things don’t last forever and that I’ll be okay – that everything will be okay.

I’ve learned how to do things I never dreamed possible. 

I’ve discovered that I’m pretty resilient and tougher than I thought. 

I’ve accepted that there will always be days when my heart hurts from missing loved ones (especially Kaitlyn) and friends and nothing, except for time, helps. 

In my journey to Franklin, I’ve learned about forgiveness…for others and for me. I think I’m good at forgiveness. 

Discovering Franklin is not always about sharing new Franklin Finds or finding the story inside the story…often it’s about Discovering Cindy and trusting that if I share what’s real for me, it might resonate for you. 

I want you to know that your comments mean the world to me…that when I’m out and about and you introduce yourself, my heart skips a beat. Thank you for coming on this Discovering Franklin and Cindy journey with me. You’ve blessed my life and I’m truly grateful. 

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