Dear Avery,
Yesterday was my 36th birthday. While the plan was to see you, your sister, and your parents for the weekend, sickness got the better of your sister, and sadly we couldn’t hang out. I pivoted last minute and scheduled some much-needed “me” time: a massage and facial to start the birthday off right.
Alone time is hard to come by with a toddler and a newborn at home, making it more precious, and thankful for a partner who encourages it. I used my 20-minute car drive to the spa to be present with my thoughts. No music or podcasts, just quiet. It gave me the perfect opportunity to think about the gratefulness this last year brought me. The beautiful chilly morning I was so desperate to have after a LONG period of record-breaking heat. The leaves on the trees changing. Observing the majesty of the pacific ocean, which I get to experience often because I live near it. Driving down the pacific coast highway never gets old. Seemingly little things that add up to the much bigger fact that I live in such a beautiful place — I don’t take it for granted. A cup of coffee and a bagel in the car — on my way to a much need massage and facial. Ahhhhhh, the perfect start to the day.
When I get a massage, I try and use that as almost a meditation time. I thank my body for its good health and quickly recognize which areas need more attention (shoulder pain from exclusively breastfeeding). I visualize that pain — and feel it getting worked through — and then thank my shoulder for the weight it’s carried. I become grateful for my working limbs, a luxury some people don’t have, and thankful for this vessel treating me so well for 36 years. This isn’t your standard meditation practice, but it’s mine, and it works for me.
After the 3 hours of self-care, I came home to my creative husband baking a birthday cake and frosting from scratch. He had never tried this before but decided to go for it anyway. I admire that. I would be too worried that it wouldn’t turn out right. That’s where we are different. Luckily, it did turn out pretty great.
After a little time at home, we then went to my favorite restaurant as a whole family and ordered my favorite meal with a great old fashion drink to pair with it. A server came up to us and said that we have a beautiful baby (Harper), and then she looked at Ryder and lit up. Very enthusiastically said, “You guys make BEAUTIFUL children; you need to make 100 more!!” Kind of her to say, but the thought of 100 children nearly killed me. 😉
The sunset over the ocean was magic and a perfect way to wind down the wonderful day. But coming home to blow out candles with my son on a cake baked with love from my life partner — was the ultimate cherry on the top. What a beautiful day that I had not planned for, but received anyway. Life is good.
So 36 trips around the sun have resulted in some really beautiful things and also some really hard things. But the hard things make the beautiful things worth it. It’s brought me to a state of grace for myself, acknowledgment of where my life currently is, and gratefulness that has led up to it. The people, the places, the experiences — it’s all led up to this — ad I’m grateful for it all.
See you for Thanksgiving and your Mom’s 40th birthday celebration, Avery, it’s going to be one for the books!
With love,
Aunt Megs
With Love, Aunt Megs 