Birthday reflections 

Another year older. Another year wiser?
I reflect especially on my birthday. I am blessed with a lot of time on my own, so generally do contemplate more than my eyelids on a daily basis. However, none as special as my birthday.. a time to think of those who are no longer here in the flesh: my lovely dad, my gorgeous friend Lianne, Mike Smyth and my Nathan.
Last year, I wrote this on Facebook as I saw in my 44th year.
‘I’m always reflective on my birthday. Thanks to prompting by my lovely friend Yvonne, my mantra was going from surviving to thriving. That I’ve done. I’ve matured in my spiritual recovery, I’ve excelled at work, I’ve bought a beautiful home in the forests, thoroughly loved my pups & built on friendships. Here’s to fitness & continued health in my year ahead – and to a more authentic Rosalind’
How little did I know what was around the corner. No sooner had I seen in my year of thriving than I dealt with the blow of the death of Nathan.
When I think back on those darkest of days, they are like a cloud to me. A cloud of misery and pain. Extreme pain like I have not known. I don’t know where February and March went…I lost them like time stood still.
Yet with the strength of the love and support of my nearest and dearest (you know who you are), I have pulled through. Resilience and courage have kept me going. I have been blessed with that in abundance.
I am still some way off being as authentic and real as I want to be, but i have made some strides to getting there. I know I am a child of God and if that makes you uncomfortable, sorry! I am loved, cherished, cared for and held each day of my journey by Him who strengthens me.
What lies ahead in my 45th year? I have a marathon to train for, a body to get fit. A Father in Heaven that I give my life too. A home I love. A career I care for. Friends and family I cherish and love. Dogs I adore. I breath in and out….for this I am so thankful for this is all we are promised.
Happy birthday to me!!