Well as one of the members in my home group calls it....today is my "belly button birthday":)  And it was a wonderful day...many birthday wishes and calls singing "Happy Birthday", a cake from the folks at work, and a beautiful ring from the Holy Land.  Really felt the love and it was sooo nice.

Spent the day reflecting on the last year and what I've learned, and how I've grown.  I learned the hard way that expectations are my issues an cause lots of my problems, I learned that being loved doesn't always have to mean there's a man involved.  I've learned that some people that are "prickly" are hurting inside and sick and should not be judged.  I've learned that I don't always have to "bite back" when people bite at me and that it's not always about me.  I learned that beauty comes from inside the person and not the outside...for years my inside was ugly.
I've grown, I've changed, I've made mistake and will continue to. I've suffered the loss of two people who I adored for they both taught me what it means to be who we are, to laugh and not to take life to seriously-none of us make if out alive. I've learned about friendship and what it really means to be a real friend, and I've met some of the best friends in my life since I came to Alanon. 

My life is good, it's full and it's blessed.  My HP is there, always to lean on and love me no matter what a putz I can be.  I have another surgery-praying my last next Weds and am trusting that whatever happens will be my HP's will for me.  Still scared but taking it a day at a time.

I'm happy, I'm loved, and I'm blessed to be another year older:)  God must really love me:)

Just for today....and always perfectly imperfect
Shelly