My 51st birthday was two days ago. I usually spend time reflecting on my birthday. This time, my day was spent differently than I’d ever planned, yet still with reflection.

For the first time in my life, I attended a funeral on my birthday. One of my best friend’s mom’s passed away. There’s really no place I would have rather been than supporting and showing love for these precious friends who are family to me.

I am blessed with deep framily-type relationships. This reality is what I cherish most in my life, friends who are like family and some family who are like friends. Of all gifts I’ve ever been given, these relationships are the treasures of my life.

Many of you are counted in these treasures in my heart. Facebook greetings from so many on my birthday really do have a deep impact on me. Even those friends from forever ago, whom I rarely see, warm my spirit and flood my mind with sweet memories when you take a moment to wish me a happy day.

I love my framily, truly. When I say that, it isn’t trite or cliché. My love is fierce and lifelong , even for some who turned on me at some point and left a wound in my heart. Regardless of my introverted self, and my need for space to refresh and renew, my love runs deep and I negate myself very much of the time to be there for those whom I love.

That being said, I’ve spent the last several years trying to learn better how to care for myself. I came to the realization that this is a part of my being a good steward of the life God has given me and a part of following Jesus, living into the purposes He has for me.

So this last year, my focus turned to physical wellness, since my focus on the other five areas of my life had brought me balance and stability in them (mental , emotional, spiritual, social, and vocational). This last year, the physical focus wasn’t only about losing weight, but about becoming more balanced and well physically.

I tried to update y’all on this journey throughout the year. I purposed to go to the doctor and face my realities better. I sought to try new approaches to eating healthily, and went back to a tried and true method that actually worked to help me get moving with losing some weight. I even explored some self-therapy with learning more about “tapping”, or EFT (emotional freedom techniques).

I can report that I’ve lost 25 lbs and am still moving forward towards learning more and losing more, becoming healthier and seeking that walk of holistic wellness that I desire. This 51st year will continue that journey for me, and being at peace in my relationships will help me keep going.

You all mean more to me than I can fully express. Your support, encouragement, and sharing your stories on social media motivates me much of the time. I want you to know I am grateful for your presence in my life at whatever level we are able to experience with the time, distance and daily demands of our lives.

The Lord bless you and keep you

The Lord make His face shine upon you

And give you peace forever