This birthday was a little hard. Maybe some of my readers will understand. I’m not ashamed, but I actually cried on my 78th birthday. It should have been a joyous day because everyday is a gift from God.

Let me explain. I had been sick with a severe sinus infection and was still recovering; a crown came off my tooth; I had laryngitis; that was followed by an ear infection. Needless to say, I wasn’t in the best of spirits leading up to my birthday. There were too many days of sitting and trying to get my energy back. My family reminded me that getting over sickness always takes time.

While I was feeling old and “decrepit”, I decided to think of all the good things in my life. When you are 78 that covers a lot of life. Do you ever feel like that the dumb things you did in your life, are the ones that plague your memory? I wish those memories would go away.

I have decided to share my good memories with you, my readers. Hopefully, it will inspire you to contemplate yours as well, especially when life makes you feel old.

1. Being born healthy at the end of World War II 2. Graduations from high school, junior college, college, universities 3. A husband that I have been married to for 58 years this year 4. 2 daughters, 3 grandchildren 4. 2 sons-in-law, 1 grandson-in-law 5. A sister and brother-in-law 6. 2 nephews and 2 great-nieces (one nephew died, but he left behind wonderful memories) 7. All in all a great family 8. Baptized into Jesus Christ 9. Educator at elementary school, community education class (computer), Bible school, and community college 10. An extended family of cousins, uncles, aunts, cousins-in-laws, although some have passed away

11. Mother and step-father 12. Grandmother and step-grandfather 12. Healthy for my age 13. Volunteer work 15. People I have met over the years 16. Living with my grandparents 17. Asking questions about everything and my grandmother never seeming to tire of answering them 18. My husband doing things for me even though he doesn’t understand why I want them done. I know he does them out of love for me. 19. Patience of my family and friends when I talk too much 20. My husband complimenting my piano playing, even when I think it sounds awful. 20. Just general patience toward me from everyone in my life

21. Growing up in Tyler, Texas 22. Going to Marsh Elementary (no longer a school), Hogg Jr. High, Robert E. Lee High School (no longer a school), and Tyler Junior College 23. Living in Nacogdoches, Irving, and Waxahachie 24. Pine trees and woods 25. Lakes 26. Living at Lake Placid in Tyler 25. Sitting on the deck of my parents’ home at Lake Palestine 26. Riding in boats on the lakes 27. Watching the sun set seemingly into the lake 27. Going to Tyler State Park 28. Going fishing with Bob 29. Gathering pinecones 30. Walking on the SFASU campus

31. Enjoying my children as they grew up 32. Reading to my children 33. Going to the park 34. Playing tennis when Bob and I were young 34. Flying kites 35. Taking my children, nephews, and grandchildren to museums, water parks, zoo, and other attractions in DFW 36. Trips to Galveston with my children and grandchildren 37. Vacations in Colorado with family 38. Cooking with my children and grandchildren 39. Family reunions 39. Hikes with my family 40. All my dogs over the years

41. Family vacations 42. Utah 43. Glacier National Park 44. Arkansas 45. Alaska cruises 46. Caribbean cruises 47. Oceans 48. Tubing, swimming and rafting 49. San Antonio 50. Corpus Christi

51. Trips with my parents 52. Cruises with my mother 53. Trips with my sister 54. Trips with my “travel” friend 54. Queen Mary cruise from New York to Southampton 54. Mediterranean cruise 55. Cruise between Europe and Great Britain 56. National Parks 56. United States 57. Scotland and Ireland 58. Europe 59. South America 60. Antártica

61. Money from my parents for travels 62. Iceland 63. Canada 64. Mexico 65. Central America 66. Scandinavia 67. Russia 68. China 69. Japan 70. Taiwan

71. Friends and acquaintances 72. Nature 73. All those people who lives I hope I have touched in a positive way and those who have done the same for me 74. The whole world and all its peoples 75. Church 76. Bible 77. Love and kindness 78. My faith in God

I stop at 78 because I am 78. As I write this list, I realize that I could add and add to it. It makes me realize how blessed I am and that I had no reason to cry on my 78th birthday.

You don’t have to struggle and try to read my whole list, but I hope all who read this are inspired to write their own list. May each day of your life find some blessing to it no matter how small.