24 Comments

Ahhh I bet that birthday cake was the sweetest of your life! What a journey you have been on and you have arrived at a wonderful place❤️

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Dear Nan,

thank you for this delightful story, I enjoyed it very much. I was touched by the image of the one-day princess, the child who struggles to say goodbye to being a star the day after her birthday. And also the joie de vivre of the parents who were so happy to celebrate. And then the journey through the tides of life, everything that happened between these selected birthdays, unbelievable. I felt transported to the cafés and restaurants and could almost smell and taste the fine delicacies. You conjured up a movie in front of my inner eye. Many thanks for that! And thanks to your parents, without whom you wouldn't exist. Congratulations to myself for having met you. I wish you a wonderful, fulfilling and healthy new year!

I hug you

Ina

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Hugging you back!

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Happy belated birthday, Nan!

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Thanks Pamela! The cake was delicious.

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Thank you Nan. Happy Birthday to you! Your writing reminds me of how much cake we get in life. Sauerkraut too, but hey. Life. 💕

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I LOVE sauerkraut! xoxo

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Happy Birthday and hurray for being present to the present! I've learned it's never inappropriate to take care of myself. Nobody can take care of me better than me! Sounds like you practice that too!

Beautifully written!

Marguerite

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Thank you Marguerite!

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Happy birthday! I hope the celebration your partner and friends threw for you today was amazing and you enjoyed your day. Birthdays are supposed to last a few days! I really liked reading your story of your 50th. I did much smaller scale things (and I did a whole “year” leading up to it), but I think it’s super important for us to be able to be proactive and make the day what we want. I’m glad you did that for yourself that day. As for the resulting clarity…. Woosh. And look at you now!

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Oh I love this and I'm so sorry I can't be there with you in person. I'm sure you know, with you always. More thoughts when we speak. HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR NAN!!!

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Happy Birthday Nan!!!!

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Thanks Chris!

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I had those shoes. I loved them. Go figure.

Happy happy birthday. xoxoxo

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Of course you did! And of course they worked for you. I don't recommend wearing them on the pavement of NYC. You should have seen the blisters.

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I remember those shoes. The way you described walking in them made me laugh. You insisted they were comfortable and I thought about getting a pair!

Love your writing and your commitment to happiness. Let the celebrations begin! Happiest Birthday. Love, Mom

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Thanks Mom!

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Beautifully written, beautifully lived, Happy birthday, I'm SO, SO happy for you and hope to get to meet your sweetheart one of these days. xo

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Thank you Julia!

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Happy birthday, Nan! It’s been wonderful to see your journey and now read more of it.

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Thanks Erin. It means a lot to me that you've read this one. There will be more. xoxo

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You aced it, Nan! Wishing you and yours a life of mostly happiness!

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Happy, happy birthday Nan!! Great read.

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Thanks Jane!

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