A big milestone

My birthday portrait with the Fairhaven Walkers

I am so much better I cannot believe how sick I was a few days ago. Not entirely 100% quite yet, but this morning I went out in a driving rainstorm to get this picture with my Saturday morning walking group. We met at Lake Padden to walk twice around the lake for a total of 5.2 miles. I made it for one loop, and we took this picture first thing, thanks to Cindy, our fearless leader (the second person in the front row behind me). It was raining hard and I asked for a volunteer to take the picture, so even with rain you can see that 15 of us showed up!

Yes, it's true: today is my 70th birthday, and where my 60th was painful, I am so grateful for my life and my health right now that I feel unbelievably lucky to be here today. It doesn't hurt a bit! Now I am back in my warm and cozy apartment with my partner, getting ready to enjoy the rest of the day together.

This is a milestone that neither of my parents met. Daddy died at 62 and Mama at 69. All through the past year it has been on my mind, and while I was with my family members, more than one of them remarked on the significance of being the first in our immediate family to make it. My son Chris only made it to 40, so again I am feeling incredibly fortunate. And to have found a community of like-minded folks here in Bellingham also makes my heart swell with gratitude.

Yes, three score and ten! Whoever said that would be a complete life? I've got lots of living still to do, I think!
:-)