One more birthday. Another year under my belt. I alone know the daily struggle to take pills, swallow food with dry mouth and an inflamed esophagus, workout despite pain, see through dry eyes, walk without lidocaine on my feet, and type with hands that sometimes don’t cooperate. I’m fortunate enough to do it. I’m blessed to still be here. 

Every year, I pull out my list of things I want to accomplish to see how much progress I’ve made. I checked off Solent things like restarting Spanish lessons, traveling more, completing more pages for a new book, accepting invitation to speak about chronic illness, and exercising more.  I am slightly disappointed about the items I didn’t get done. Yet, with each passing year I’m focusing more on my positive strides rather than tearing myself down. 

So for day 17 of my Christmas sweater countdown my first outfit reminds me of who I was created to be: wonderful, accepted, capable, redeemed, protected, courageous, strong, precious. I celebrate me even if no one else does. Happy birthday to me! 

#happyholidays  #selflove #selflove #selfesteem #uglychristmassweater #christmassweatercountdown