How long does your birthday last?

 Does your birthday last a day? A week? More?
 

I say, it lasts as long as family and friends want to celebrate it with you. I am so very blessed to have family and friends who celebrated my birthday on March 13 through April 17 when I received the last birthday gift from a friend. The gift tag said, “Some birthdays go on…and on…and on…!”

Through the years my friends have made fun of the fact that I celebrate my birthday for an entire month. This began when I celebrated my 50^th for a month rather than getting bogged down into the fact that, “OMG I was turning 50!” To be honest, it was funny at first and I laughed with them and took the joking in stride. After a while it ceased to be funny.
 

This year, I said nothing about my birthday and hoped it would go by quietly without notice. I just wasn’t in a partying mood. My friends and family are the reason I celebrated. They proceeded to shower me with lunches, dinners, gifts and cards for over a month. I am in my 50s and proud of it. Prayers of thanksgiving for my family and friends! They are my JOY!  

Mardi Gras to Lent to Easter

 

Mardi Gras (French) also Fat Tuesday (English), refers to events of the Carnival celebrations, beginning on or after the Epiphany of Kings day and culminating on the day before Ash Wednesday. Fat Tuesday, reflecting the practice of the last night of eating richer, fatty foods before the ritual fasting of the Lenten season. I enjoyed Fat Tuesday with my handbell peeps before our Tuesday rehearsal. We had waffles at the local Waffle House, delicious. 

 

Lent...give up, give away or add in? Many choose to give up things during Lent each year. Like soda, drinking alcohol,  a certain food or internet game addictions like Words with Friends. This year it is quite popular to do 40 bags in 40 days where people go  through a closet, give away or repurpose clothing or household items, sort through an overcrowded garage, etc. I have chosen to "add in" a discipline. I have begun yoga...again. Every morning I have the hardest time getting up and getting going. So I began doing my "Morning Cup of Yoga" book. It is a fifteen minute yoga routine that is designed to get you going in the morning. So far I have done it every day in Lent. I have to admit it has helped defeat my morning laziness. I am very much a night owl but I have begun getting to bed earlier knowing that I will need to awake earlier to do my morning routine. Will I become a yoga fanatic? Probably not, but it certainly has helped me to get going in the mornings rather than dragging out of bed at the last possible moment and feeling behind and tired all day. Here's to adding in a new discipline that helped me along my journey through Lent.

Sunset in Sarasota, FL

Photo credit: Susie Elsea

Now I have made it through Holy Week where I rang at a Maudy Thursday service and sang at a Good Friday service. The Good Friday service was such a moving Tenebrae service ending in darkness with a soprano/tenor duet of Where You There sung from the chancel and balcony. I was moved to tears. Looking forward to the Joy of Easter.