After a month of sorting out the confusing alphabet soup of Medicare enrollment, I careened into my 65th year on this amazing planet. 
Oddly, this birthday was not as treacherous to me, as the one five years earlier. I guess I’ve reconciled myself to the sexagenary decade. The current state of the human condition helps. I’m no longer so eager to see how things turn out.
What occurred to me on this day was not the miracle of me or my arrival, but the miracle of my mother. It was all her doing that I am here. It was her nine months of eating carefully, staving off nausea, sleeping under the weight of a bowling ball. It was her heaving, grunting, breathing, screaming, pushing, contracting, contorting, cursing and crying that shoved me off into what would become my amazing journey. Why do we celebrate our own births on birth days? It seems we should be celebrating our mothers’ act of birthing us. It is our mothers who have done all the heavy lifting. Thank you Mother!
Rangewriter 
Happy birthday! That picture captures both your sense of fun and the journey you are on so well.
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Thanks! I’m indebted to my friend who couldn’t muster the courage to try the new roller coaster at our ski area. So she gracefully managed my phone instead. I have the best friends. 😉
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Well, happy birthday, Linda! I’m not far behind you in years. I love celebrating birthdays. It is something we always saluted with great joy in our family and I have carried on the tradition. But I know many people who barely acknowledge their birthdays. I do think of my mother on her birthday, though she has been gone from this earth for more than 47 years.
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Wow, you lost her very young. I’ve always been embarrassed about my birthday because it competes with everyone’s Christmas. But to be honest, I’ve been really spoiled all my life. People do NOT forget me at all.
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Good point, Linda. We have the easy part, it’s our mother’s who do all the work to get us here! Happy birthday! The picture is awesome!
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Thanks, Renee! May the next holiday be fun and safe. Will you be walking by New Year’s?
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Followup X-ray is January 2, and then we’ll know more about my next steps. I do have a boot for those moments when I must walk, but otherwise just letting it rest!
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I know that ride is a new attraction at Bogus Basin, but can’t help to think it’s an early hyper-loop prototype. Wheee!
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Haha! I had to look up what a hyper-loop is. When I saw it, I knew immediately what you’re getting at. This thing would be Elon’s Kindergarten version, I’m afraid. But it sure is fun.
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Great fun photo, Linda! Now I know what I want for Christmas next year! ) think we have one of those sort of toboggan runs not far away – I shall drop hints and nag my kids a bit. Oh, and happy birthday x
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Oh cool! I hope you get a chance to do it. It is great fun. Oh, and thanks for the birthday wishes.
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Love that pic of you on the roller coaster. Keep sharing the adventure that is your life
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Thanks, Sybil. My friend did a great job, didn’t she? I always love seeing your name in my feed. I hope you’ve had a fine, stress-free holiday.
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Many happy returns Linda….and best wishes for a busy and healthy 2018. The one thing I like most about passing the six and a half decade mark is feeling like I have earnt the right to not care about what others think of me or what I do. Its similar to feeling invisible and it does not bother me at all. It feels free. Warm regards.
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I agree 100%. Added to that perspective is that I feel slightly removed (only slightly) from the political haranguing that is stirring anxiety on all fronts. Since I won’t be here to see the long term results, I’m not as vested in the changes that are inevitable.
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Great shot! This is a lovely homage to your Mother.
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Thanks, Jane. It is homage to all mothers, really. Yours, too! Happy New Year to you, Jane.
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That photo does a great job of capturing your spirit! Happy belated birthday!
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Thanks, Lisa!
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