November 27

Today is my birthday and I am now 68 years old. It was like Mother Nature sent me a gift of beauty. I love hoar frost, and it is beautiful this morning. Last night I guess I forgot to turn the lights out on my Christmas tree and when I walked out to make coffee, there it was in all its glory. What a great way to start the day. 

I like to embrace the saying, "you are only as old as you feel". I feel very fortunate that I have had very few health struggles in my life. I can basically eat whatever I want. I am strong and can move about with ease and my mind overall is usually sharp. What more can one ask for as I close in on 70? 

I experienced a moment of harsh reality when I heard a young woman express concern over her dad's health. She said, "he's really old". I asked her how old he was, and she said, "65". She felt bad when I told her my age. I do remember when 65 was really old, but I don't think of it like that anymore. 

I was born under the zodiac sign of Sagittarius. Everything that is written to describe a Sagittarian, describes me perfectly. I find it fascinating that your personality is indicative of what "sign" you are born under. I have read descriptions of other zodiac signs and I almost quiver. I think, "what if I had been born then".

Today is also volunteer day, and I am throwing a birthday party for myself. I have designed it like my childhood parties were. We will play Bingo, and everyone will have chips and pop to enjoy. The bingo prizes will be a Christmas theme. Having my birthday a month from Christmas meant I would often get decorations for birthday gifts. I made a round, chocolate layered cake with icing between the cakes. Not jam like it was as a child. I have the plates and serviettes for said occasion. It makes me happy to be able to share my birthday with others. 

          

I have fond memories of my birthday parties. There were 14 girls in my class, and they were all invited. Some of us would ride the bus to the party, mom or dad would pick up some and I believe we had to have another vehicle. In those days you could cram as many kids in a car as you could. No seatbelts to limit capacity. I just took for granted that my friends would be at the party. Receiving gifts only happened on your birthday and at Christmas in the good ole days. I had such anticipation for opening the gifts from my school friends. As soon as my party was over, I would start to plan my next birthday party, in 364 quick days. 

I love trivia and I want to share some family trivia. As you know I am an Irish Twin and as of today, Kay and I are both 68 years old. We will spend the next 54 days the same age. Irish twins like us, born in the same year are rare. I recently met a 5-year-old set of Irish twins, almost like Kay and me. One was born in January and one born in November, and they will both be 5 until January. Their dad said they are often called twins. Irish twins are born to the same mother within 12 months. To be a rare Irish twin, the first one would have to be born in January or February.  

Yesterday the 7 Dempsey cousins were the following ages: 72,71,70,69,68,67 and 66. Since September 6, those were our ages, but today that all changes. My three oldest cousins were nearly Irish twins with only 26 months difference in the three of them. Things were certainly different in the 50s. 

I checked out what the number 68 means and what was ahead for me. The meaning of 68 signals that I should de-clutter my life and get rid of personal items while they still have value. My angels will take care of my finances, which suits me just fine, as long as I don't have to do it. They will also urge me to do more self-care such as mediation, yoga and journalling. In other words, live a more meaningful life which means taking care of my mind, body and soul. I need to focus more on personal efforts rather than material possessions. I feel I basically live like this already, but there is always room to embrace something new. 

I have a life rule that I don't decorate for Christmas until after my birthday. Well, that rule is derailed, since I got bored one day and started putting some things up. Once you start decorating there is no stopping until it is done. I find it messy, so get the mess out of the way and the storage containers back on the shelf.  

I usually do things in a big way. Making November "All about Me" was an example. Today is a new mindset, "I'm 68". I hear more and more people say as we age, it is important to do the things that you want to do while you still can. What wise words to live by and something to embrace as a new year begins for me.