Well, there’s about fifteen minutes left of this first birthday without my momma. It was a spotty-teary-day, with the biggest amount that came this morning.
This afternoon, we shopped for bowling shoes. Found a pair and two bowling ball bags, so that was nice. We had our Birthday Bowl-a-thon at two different bowling alleys. It was very fun.
Birthday dinner took us back to the restaurant I wrote about a couple of times in the past several months. One post was about crying at the table. The other was about crying and smiling when a Stevie Nicks song came on while there.
Tonight I did quite well at our table. That is, until an old beloved Christmas hymn came over the speakers.
The part of a song that got me all choked up this time?
“Sleep in heavenly peace.”
Cue the waterworks…
Gratitude of my day of birth:
- that I had a momma who loved me
- that even though today was hard, I made it
- being with my son and husband
- hearing from my dad and siblings
- getting texts from friends
- two delicious meals out in one day
- candles, cupcakes, and party decor
- nice people who bowled next to us
- the five friends who remembered me on social media today
- the pre-birthday blogging wishes I got- thank you
- I appreciate all the birthday love
Thank you for reading.
Jessica
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Unmeasured Journeys 
I am sure he will like showing that off at his next bowling league get-together. I’m guessing they suspend games during the holiday season as so many people are away.
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Hi. Well, some miracle happened and the ball will arrive Monday! I ordered it Friday! He does have bowling this week, ON his birthday! Love what you said about showing it off.
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Oh, that is great news and how nice his bowling night is his birthday night – I’ll bet his team members will make a big deal of it for him … the bowling ball will provide a great gift and a great distraction to his heartache. You lucked out with the quick delivery!
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Belated birthday wishes Jessica … I have been quite behind here in Reader. Well, that is another couple of obstacles out of the way for causing grief and having tears welling up with Thanksgiving and now your birthday done. Now to get thru Christmas … good luck with that.
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Hi. Hope you’re doing well. I’ve been enjoying your wildlife photos. Thanks- my Dad’s birthday is next- 12/22. His first birthday in 55 years without her… makes me weep thinking about it. ❤️
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Thank you Jessica … I have taken a ton of wildlife photos this year and not even sorted through Summer and a good part of Fall yet. I usually do some special posts around the holidays and will do a recap in January. I’ve had fun with the Wordless Wednesday posts as I had a lot of bird photos and bird photos in odd poses. Oh, that will be rough and also so close to the holidays makes it a double-whammy. Too bad you can’t go get him and have him spend Christmas at your house – he will still be sad, will notice things like your cabinet you recently fixed up, but he will not be in the home that he shared for so many years without your mom.
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Oh man, that’s a great idea. I wish. We are actually 8 hours apart, so… I’m not sure when a long trip will be possible. On a cheery note, he loves bowling so we sent him a new fancy bowling ball for his birthday. He’s been in a Thursday night bowling league for 40+ years. He’s going to be SO surprised!!
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Happy birthday Jessica!!!! Bittersweet I am sure but the memories are priceless.
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Hi Faye. Yes exactly. It’s so weird to be sad and joyous at once. In a way, it doesn’t feel right, being happy when she’s gone. ❤️
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I would have cried too…. But I’m glad you celebrated your birthday, bittersweet though it was!
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Hi. Thank you. I am happy we went. Sitting at home felt like waiting for a text, call, or package that wasn’t going to come… I’m so glad you have your mom! ❤️
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I know….my mom calls me every birthday and sings “happy birthday.” She does that wth my sisters and my kids as well. I know when she’s gone, that’s going to be such a loss. I”m glad you got out and didn’t sit at home, feeling the loss even more than you already did! That took courage, and it was the right decision!
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That’s very sweet that she does that. Her babies!! Thank you for saying that going took courage. I thought about her so much that day. Especially in that restaurant where I’ve cried over her before.
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I just wrote about the bitter sweetness of birthdays myself. I’m so glad you were able to have a nice list of gratitude like that. A belated happy birthday to you.
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Hi, thanks so much. I read your post. It was lovely and insightful. I tried to comment on it- but for some reason, from this blog, when I comment on new-to-me blogs, my comments disappear… but, if I comment from my art blog, they stay. I don’t know what that’s about. Thank you- I did a gratitude challenge for myself a couple of months ago. Noticing gratitude daily has been a plus for me.
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You did it, and you did it with grace and gratitude. I admire you, Jessica!
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Oh my, you are a sweetheart. Thank you so very much. ❤️
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Belated happy birthday, still so much to be grateful for despite your grief. X
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Hi. You’re absolutely right. Thanks so much.
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A late happy birthday to you! The day was full of wonderful things. Love those cupcakes!
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Good morning, Sunshine! Thank you. My birthday is my son’s birthday, too. We loved bowling and laughing at all my gutter balls and shopping and a nice long ride through the country. Ha- thank you. His was Sweet 16. I wanted to get a cake, but cupcakes were the best option, so 16 on one made me laugh out loud SO much. Hope you’re doing great.
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I enjoyed the crowded cup cake. We had a neighbor who put 85 candles on her cake. It’s a wonder the icing didn’t catch on fire.
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Aww!! That’s amazing!
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Amazing and ablazing!
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I love your wit!!
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I just like to play with words.
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You’re good at it!
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Happy Birthday! I wish you many more.
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Hi! Thank you a bunch. ❤️
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