Last week Virginia celebrated her birthday. Another year. Whoopee.
Although there was plenty of celebratory chocolate…
Once you hit certain milestones, years tend to blur together. You reach a certain age and birthdays are reminders of AGE.
An occasion for Birthday Blues to play their grooves.
Faithful readers know Virginia often says, “Life is a gift.” Life is something to celebrate, maybe not so much life (so many years.) But, here’s the thing. This year’s Birthday Blues were preempted by joy – lots of joy!
An unexpected tea party!
Last Sunday a coffee shop meet-up turned into an unexpected celebratory birthday tea at a dear friend’s house. Surprised by joy! Gales of laughter, fellowship, fabulous tea and scones started my birthday week off with aplomb.
Even Dora the Explorer got in on the fun!
Staycationing (a vacation spent staying at home) for the week, my brother Dwight and I racked up lots of fun zooming out and about. (There was more chocolate. And cake. And apple pie. And my sister Shere’s Banana Creme pie – oh la la!)
special Celtic cup birthday giftie from brother Dwight
Surprised by joy! So many unexpected gifts, cards, calls, and greetings from family and friends near and far blew Virginia’s Birthday Blues away. Far, far away.
Then on the weekend my big sis Shere hosted a lovely birthday dinner soiree outside (and the weather cooperated.)
A magical evening under the lights @ Perrydise
Once again, Virginia was surprised by joy. Life IS a GIFT!
grace, peace & GRATITUDE GROOVES
Virginia : )
“On our birthdays we celebrate being alive. We should never forget our birthdays … They remind us that what is important is not what we do or accomplish, not what we have or who we know, but that we are, here and now. On birthdays let us be grateful for the gift of life.” Henri Nouwen
Roses in the Rubble 
What a delight!! Happy belated birthday!
Thank you, Nora! Hope all is well with you in WV! 💐🎂🎶🤗
Belated birthday wishes !
Thank you Athira – be blessed!!! 💐🤗💐
Most welcome🙂
So sorry I missed your birthday dear Virginia. You are so often in my thoughts and prayers. May this next year continue to surprise you with joy and fruitfulness. You are loved.
Big hugs from across the ocean, Lisa. 💜🤗💜 Thank you for your words of encouragement & hope. 🌟🙏🌟You are loved & prayed for often, too!!! 💐🌹💐
Delightful article. A very happy birthday .The crockery in the pictures caught my attention. Fantabulous.
Thank you, Veena. I’m enjoying my new cup immensely! Cheers! 🎊☕️🎊
Happy belated Birthday, Virginia!! Sounds like you were celebrated all week long — as you should be! — and I do love your brother’s Celtic cup! Everybody needs chocolate, especially for their birthday!
Thank you, Debbie. That’s what happens when a birthday falls in the middle of a week – two weekends conscripted for celebrating. Staycation made it a whole week of fun! My new Celtic cup makes tea tastier! Cheers! 🎊🎂💐☕️🤗
Happy Birthday, Virginia!❤️🙏🎂
Thank you so much Sister Renee. Life is a gift! 🌟💜🌟💐🌟🍫
How magical!! Happy Birthday!
Thank you, Craig. It’s a real blessing when joy unexpectedly surprises us! Glimpses of God’s love wrapped in bows of grace. Blessings!! 🎁🌟🙏💐
So glad you were celebrated well❣️💜💕🎂🍰🎊🎁🎉🍡🎈🎊
Cindy, thank you for starting birthday month off with the gift of Louise Penny’s new book (so good!) 💐📚💐 Missed celebrating with you here (!) but look forward to Thanksgiving. Can’t believe we haven’t seen you since Christmas. Will be so glad when COVID is done & GONE! Love & hugs, sis! 🌟💜🌟🎊🤗🎊
Happy birthday Virginia. 😊
Thank you! Life is a gift! Cheers! 🎊🌟🎊
Looks like a fantastic birthday week! Happy belated birthday Virginia!😀😺🥳🥳
Thank you, Steve. Hope you and Muffin are keeping well in these crazy times! Blessings! 💐😸💐😷💐
Well, we’re certainly trying, though I still have Covid symptoms 5 months later.😷😺🌞
Oh Steve, I am so sorry to hear that. One of my sister’s friend who had it (& was hospitalized) now has a new heart condition she didn’t have before. Praying your symptoms dissipate SOON! 🙏😷🙏
Thank you so much Virginia. Yes, it can certainly cause heart problems, hasn’t with me, but it has affected me in several other ways. Thanks for praying, truly appreciated!
Have a wonderful day!😀😺🌞
A very happy birthday and may you be blessed with love, joy, good health and happiness always. Much love, GH.
Thank you, GH. I do feel blessed, even if that sounds weird amidst the craziness in our whacked out world. Life still is a gift! Much love back to you – & prayers for a quick recovery from Bates Hotel. 🎊🌟🙏🌟🎊
Much love and Garfield Hugs 🙂
💐🤗💐
What a wonderful celebration of life! Happy Birthday! 🎂
Thank you, Lisa. We had a grand time stretching celebration out. Life is a gift! Cheers! 🎊🕊🎊
Happy Birthday, Virginia – this post is a virtual celebration for us all with those gorgeous photos. That Celtic cup -! I love it – beautiful.
Thank you, Fran. In these uncertain times it’s a real blessing to celebrate the gift of life. Glad you like the Celtic cup – I’m enjoying it immensely! Cheers! 🎊💐🍵💐🎊
What a beautiful celebration !! Belated birthday wishes !! 💕
Thank you! It’s a blessing to be surprised by joy. Life is a gift! 💐🌟💐
Ahh belated happy birthday! Would have wished you sooner if the exams weren’t such a pain 🙁🖤
Thanks so much Shruba! 🎊🎂🎊 Hope your exams went well. That’s one thing I do not miss about being a student- exams! Blessings on your studies! 💐📚🤪📚💐
Haha I can’t wait to reach that stage when I don’t have to sit for an exam. 😂
Yes, they went well. I’m only glad it’s finally over. I miss campus life already though. Thanks 💜☺
Oh, what a relief to be DONE! Congrats! 🍾🎊📚🎊💜
Nice😅
Thank you ! 🙂