Another year … full of adjustments and adventures, for sure, and as I have pledged, here is my 2018 love-letter to myself… including a self-portrait.
Old age, is a gift “they” say, which not everyone gets. I suspect mine is on its way
I wear my words… on a bracelet which reads “Grateful”, a gift from my niece, Amanda. <www.halo-heart.com/>
Get used to the new number, “girl,” I tell myself in the mirror.
Buck up. Truth be told, I don’t remember exactly when I moved on from being a “girl”.
Last year I gave myself a birthday gift of a year of reflection. I took that challenge seriously.
My family, fractured by loss and challenges, has persevered. Happy to report, we have mostly come through with new dreams and promises.
I write this in the glow of a “staycation” with my darling granddaughter, Annabel, and her sweet girlfriend, Reese. at the Island Hotel in Newport Beach. We were there for a few days, just before school started.
How lucky am I!
They, along with their dolls, put on a fashion show for me in our room. There were lots of good feelings and laughter. We had a chocolate chip pancake brunch, a mani/pedi and hung out at the pool. One afternoon, we left for a while to take an art class.
Strangers, men and women, still talk to me in hotels, and on grocery lines. (I’m aware that old people often complain about feeling invisible)
I work. Zumba is my exercise of choice. I write and draw… and I shop. These things, I think, are what fuels me to smile and to be generous in my efforts to spread sunshine.
My body has cooperated. Thank you, body.
I’ve also started writing what I hope will be a coming of age novel, based on my Catskill Mountain “Dirty Dancing” like experience as a teenage counselor in 1957.
Toward that end, I have communicated with others who have been so generous with their own Catskill stories from that time. What a kick!
(If you have anything to add, please contact me.)
I have started to make art again. In what seems like another life, I did that a lot. So nice and nourishing. I even managed to sneak in a life drawing session at the Art Student’s League in New York City.
I remain thankful and in awe of our friends who have stood by our family through these tumultuous times. We have not been easy friends to have for a while. You’ve helped so much.
Tomorrow, September 24, 2018, I wish me a happy birthday as I resolve to keep on trucking. I do admit it takes a little more effort these days.
Dr. Linda
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{ 17 comments… read them below or add one }
I’m happy to have known you all these years. You are an amazing lady that knows how to adapt so well to whatever the circumstances that face you. Have the best of birthdays girlfriend! Jeanette ????
Happy Birthday my friend!
Lynn
Hi Linda,
Your birthday letter to yourself was honest, heartfelt and on point, regarding aging. I enjoyed reading it! Thank you for sharing.
Enjoy your celebratory day and best wishes for a good, strong and healthy year!
Surelle
Dear Linda,
What lovely and meaningful thoughts. You handle your challenges with dignity and grace. I want to wish you the happiest of birthdays, and hopefully there will be many more.
Love,
Arlene Glassman
Fred and I think you are terrific, and also care a great deal about Hy.We wish you a very very happy birthday and hope it is a year of good health , and some very fun times, so sorry we do not live closer and not able to see you more often. Also a very happy and healthy New Year. Much love, Morrine and Fred ❤️❤️❤️
You are a VERY special person. Have a very HAPPY birthday.
Happy, happy birthday my dear friend. I would venture to say that of all the wonderful people you know and all the fabulous tributes they have offered to you, I am probably
your oldest ( as in long term, not in age) friend. I’ve known you through
high school, college, PhD, daughter wife, mother, and grandmother and you keep on surprising me. I think the secret to your youth is that you keep on reinventing yourself
by finding new and exciting interests. You never cease to amaze me with your various ventures – artist, student, dancer, author, radio show hostess, zumba enthusiast. I think you also told me you took a drumming class. Whatever the secret to your success is, keep on keeping on. You’re amazing!!!
Linda, Happy birthday!
It’s great to have another birthday and we should take as many as we can get. I am also a Virgo and grew up summering in the Catskills. I have looked them up on the internet and would love to try to find that “lost world” if you’re ever interested. Perhaps it is not a lost world but a time, when culture intersected with circumstance and briefly, we were who we were at the only point in our lives we could ever be that.
I’d be glad to share my Catskill memories, we spent 10 summers at the Granite Hotel.
I appreciate you and your very unique voice. Wishing you the best,
Linda
Do you know of a good women’s group for engaging conversation and ideas?
I also worked at the Granite for one summer as the camp director! Let’s talk.
Happy birthday Linda beautiful lady. Loved your read…????
I love your creativity ……. Happy Birthday to a wonderful, beautiful woman. Don’t you just love those little girls in our lives. I think that you and I are blessed Linda, because we have the the gift to stay up when the going gets tough. Maybe it is the ability to connect with people in the grocery line. Hugs. Suzie Cecil.
Happy Birthday my sweet friend Linda,
You are a fabulous writer, friend, and we can not forget Zumba Dancer! Thank you for your sweet spirit and wonderful smile you bring to class ever week.
Love you! Sandy ” Zumba Instructor/friend”
One day late but wishes for a year that brings you many happy, special days shared with your beautiful family and good friends.
Much Love
Sheila & Marvin
Reinventing myself has been a wonderful experience as I discovered so many new and
exciting facets of who I am; made new friends, took journeys into the unknown and discovered good stuff, cherished so many memories of life, of my marriage, kids, grandkids, family, friends and surrogate family ….including you kiddo!! I am grateful every day, embrace my life and loves and express gratitude on a regular basis!
Happy Birthday kiddo and many more….Keep on dancing…It looks good on you!!
PS/ I worked in Kiameshia Lake for two summers…What a blast….!!
Hugs, Barbara
Linda!
Great blog post and happy birthday to you.
Lauren
You’re an inspiration!!
Love and miss you!
Dear Linda,
Happy belated birthday wishes to a warm, understanding, kind, fun, and special lady.
Hugs,
Sara