It wasn’t wrapped up in ribbons and bows. It didn’t cost any money to make. It all began very simply. Twenty-eight years ago today, one of my favorite gifts was presented to the world. Today my forever mom celebrates her 28th birthday, so today I celebrate her.
It’s not complicated. I know some people think it is, but I beg to differ. Whether we think of our own lives or the lives of those characters who make a difference in our lives, life as we know it is the best gift we could possibly be given. I realized it tonight as I basked in the glow of a very happy forever mom and dad feasting on something (that smelled ridiculously delicious) in the backyard. This is an infrequent event as the bugs often intrude on the enjoyment of such things, but tonight even the bugs cooperated. The bad ones stayed away and the good ones stayed close. Fireflies danced around them as they ate, and I was overcome with awe of the life in that moment.
It brought to mind the words of Indian philosopher Sai Baba who encouraged those he came into contact with to live life to the fullest in as many ways as possible. “Life is a song – sing it,” he once said. “Life is a game – play it. Life is a challenge – meet it. Life is a dream – realize it. Life is a sacrifice – offer it. Life is love – enjoy it.”
Life offers so many different choices, all beginning with our decision to live it to the fullest. It’s no secret I’m a believer in the contagion that is joy, so it probably doesn’t come as a surprise that gifts that keep on giving are my favorite. And I’m not talking jelly-of-the-month club gifts (though I would probably be open to a chew toy of the month club). I’m talking about the things we are grateful for each day. Gifts from within. Gifts from above.
These are my favorite gifts that keep on giving. So today as I reflect on the gift of life, I am grateful for the gift of my forever mom. It all started very simply twenty-eight years ago today. She may not have come into the world wrapped in pretty ribbons and bows, but she made up for that later in life. And some of the best things in life are free. To me her life is love, and I’m going to enjoy it as long as possible. I love you mom. Happy birthday.
Wiley's Wisdom 
That’s so sweet, Wiley. Blessings on your forever Mom for her birthday and the year ahead.
Thank you so very much dear Lyn. Blessings to you as well!
Happy Birthday to your mom 🙂
Thanks friend!
Happy Birthday to yooowoooowoooooo Wiley’s Mom! Wiley is lucky to have a great mom like yoowoooowoooo! Ku
I’m lucky to have her too. 🙂
[…] “Life is Love” – says Wiley, one of the awesome dogs I met in WP! […]
Thanks so very much for the pingback and the beautiful compliment!
Happy Birthday Wiley’s forever and ever mom. Have a great day with a lot of love!
We did have a great day filled with love. Thank you!!!
HAppy birthday to your Momma!!!
Aw!!! Thank you!
Aw, how sweet is this post! Happy Birthday Mom!
Thanks so much dear Nikita! It seems this was a week of birthdays, yes? 🙂
Yeppers this month has lots of birthday’s in it! Mine is on Monday the 22nd!
Happy happy happy birthday again, dear friend!
Aw, thanks! I am trying to find some photographs of me so I can post, but since I am always the one behind the camera, it is hard to locate many. LOL
I know what you mean. 🙂
You said it so beautifully, your words are wrapped up in ribbons and love! Happy Birthday to your mum! Enjoy!
I love what you said about words being wrapped up in ribbons and love. Lots of both of these things to you, dear friend!
Happy Birthday to your Mum Wiley! How sweet of you to think of her! 🙂
Thank you!!! She says thank you too! 🙂
Happy Birthday to your forever mom, Wiley! She’s mighty smart for 28 and you both are lucky to have each other!! Hope the next year is fantastic!!
I passed along your sentiment and she says thank you so much for thinking of her. 🙂
Well said, Wyles!
Thank you dear HuntMode! Best wishes to the family!
perfect, utterly perfect
🙂
Happy birthday to your mum!
Thank you!
Reblogged this on Wiley's Wisdom and commented:
Life is a gift – live it.