Yesterday I had a most fabulous thirty-sixth birthday. It was wonderful being home with the family all day (unexpected natural consequence of the country’s COVID quarantine). I started my day trudging through the snow with my husband over to the church basement a little after 5:00 a.m. to lead our three day a week (Zoom for now) workout class. When we got back home I enjoyed a glorious hot shower followed by cheesy scrambled eggs as well as piping hot coffee with whipping cream and truffles (courtesy of my sister-in-law, Naomi). And all this before 7:00 a.m.!

With the kids still sleeping peacefully away, I went back over to the church and coached a pastor on Zoom (I am not promoting Zoom, but they should hire me). Whenever I complete a coaching session, as coach or coachee, I come out energized and excited. When I discovered coaching a year or so back, it changed my life, and continues to do so in the coolest ways. My new teacher Don (https://coachingatendoflife.com/) recently described being a coach as being a “professional friend.” When I heard that phrase I immediately teared up. A bestie of mine from childhood, Heidi, has told me a few times over the years that if there was such a job as a professional friend, then that is what I should do. I thought that sounded like the best thing ever and lo and behold! My perfect vocation! Nothing better than an affirmation like that. 

Now where was I? Okay, then I had one more computer meeting before making my way back to the church for the 10:30 present opening time scheduled by our hilarious and too-cute-for-his-own-good middle son, Justin. The kids could hardly wait for me to open the very beautiful paper roses they made for me, the flowery and cheerful pillowcase they sewed me (thanks to our daughter Jordan’s Confirmation mentor, Sheila), and the most delicious frosted sugar cookies and chocolate cake they made me. What more could a woman want?! (I am not saying this facetiously, to be clear.) 

I could go on and on about details of my delightful day, about watching one of my favorite inspirational sports movies Facing the Giants while the kids kept pointing out and wondering why I kept crying so much; about how my incredibly sweet and generous neighbor Yeimi had her daughter drop off a bowl of my absolute favorite homemade guacamole; about how my husband Jer made tacos and all the fixins for dinner, and we enjoyed them with our next-door neighbors, followed by a game of Rummikub; then about how the kids giggled and chatted forever in the guest bedroom while Jer and I did yoga while watching “The Good Place,” (I do love Ted Danson). Well, I guess I did go on and on about all the details. So that was my birthday, in a nutshell. Thank you, God, for reasons to celebrate!