This document is a letter from the author celebrating reaching 57 years old like their mother never got to. It discusses appreciating life and one's body. The author encourages self-love, living joyfully in the present, cultivating gratitude, solitude for reflection, fun, acceptance and enjoying time with family and friends.

1. I MADE IT TO 57!
ALL IN ONE PIECE AND READY TO ROLL!
*CLICK THROUGH AT YOUR OWN PACE

2. Dearest Family and Friends,
This is a milestone birthday for me. Because Through out her life her angelic face often
of my Mother. She was quickly gone at the made it difficult for people to see beyond her
age I am now. Suddenly her life was over, exterior to her amazing talents, intelligence
without ever having experienced the gift of and sensitivity. Because of a life time of this
age. she felt betrayed by her body as she aged.
I wish she could have loved and cared for Early beauty is a dubious
herself more. She was so smart, creative blessing and in truth a
and a truly gentle spirit. I imagine the fun burden.
we could have had together ! Her as a little To me she was forever
old lady and me as a slightly younger little beautiful, but she didn’t
old lady. Knocking down walls and tiling see it that way and felt
everything in sight! She used to say, “If I compelled to try to
was young again, I’d apprentice as a maintain the illusion of
carpenter.” So funny coming from her youth. By cutting away at
delicate little self! her physicality she held
the hope that this finally
She was always so full of projects and ideas might make her feel
and fun! A true artist who never reached worthy and wanted.
her full potential...but sometimes whispers it
to me. At the same time…

3. She abused her body not only with
substances but with
anger, frustration, unhappiness and
resentment. At the end of her life she
closed herself off and left without a word.
The diagnosis brought utter surrender. She
left no diary, letters or thoughts. I don’t
blame her. I miss her. I regret that she
didn’t and couldn’t love herself more.
Her life was precious, my life is precious
and your life is precious. Because we have
these bodies each and every one of us is
able to be here and experience all that the
earth has to offer. Suffering and joy. Love
for each other and love for life.
Call it what you will.
Contemplation, meditation, pondering or
considering. Plant a seed of love for
yourself and let it grow.
Then take a moment to consider…

4. The Bliss of Being in a Body!
Our bodies are our “Ticket to ride!”
You must have your body to be here
with everyone you love and everyone
who loves you.
So please take care of it! Do what you
can to make it last. We all leave this life
eventually, but I just want us all to stay
awhile and enjoy the journey. Because I
love you!
It’s a darn good thing that our bodies
are so forgiving! I think of all the
physical and mental abuse I heaped on
my innocent form when I was young
and it’s a wonder it still serves me so
well!
Back in the day…

5. Young me constantly thought I was fat and
blamed my poor body for all that “fatness”! Fat? Bahahaha! I’d love
to be so “fat” now!
Old me has periods of fatness but I don’t lay the
blame on my innocent body with indignant disgust!
I know I’m not “accidently fat.” Pudging up is fun!
I did it and big fat deal! No one but me and my pants
even notice!
Young me was tortured because of my flat
chest and wildly curly hair.
Old me really only cares to lose weight so my Young me was afraid…
chest can be flatter and out of my way when I dance!
Old me is happy when my ridiculously
curly hair makes my now silver hair look thicker!
Young me worried about failure, what other
people thought, disasters and “what ifs? ”
Old me doesn’t dwell on what people think, Old me is not!
doesn’t worry about failure and I now know that
most of what we stress about never happens! Older is Better!

6. This is the GIFT of aging and I wish it for
all of us. So Mom, whether you meant to
or not, you did leave me with a few very
important concepts seared on to my
brain…
 Don’t waste time suffering when you
have the power to change it.
 Don’t waste your talents.
 Don’t waste a moment of your life
living in resentment and regret.
Thank you for that.
Now that I’m old, I’ve become very wise!
And I’ve discovered…

7. The Secret of Life is
Simple!
So simple we insist on
making it complicated.
We all can experience
happiness, love and joy.
Right along with the sadness,
loss and pain of life.
All you have to do is…

8. Bless me, bless you, bless just
being!
Start the day off with one simple
thought. God Bless me. God Bless
my family, God Bless the world.
Whatever you think God is, even if
you think God is not, it does not
hurt to send out a blessing.
Bless your body, bless your day,
bless everyone you love and
especially those you don’t!
Simple huh?
Then…

9. Experience the Grace of
Gratitude
For a happy relationship with
your life and your “Ticket to
ride” cultivate gratitude.
Is my heart still beating? Score!
Can my eyes still see? Sweet! Do
I get to strap the feed bag on
today? Delish! Am I surrounded
by family and friends? The best!
Everywhere. Everything.
Everyone. I am grateful for it all.
Next give yourself…
It’s all awesome!

10. The recharging, revealing
energy of being alone.
Learn to love being alone!
Alone there is no onslaught of
others thoughts, judgments or
expectations.
No distracting or draining needs to
fill.
When you’re alone you have to
start listening to your own silly
mind chatter.
That’s a good thing…If you can’t
self reflect you’ll end up sucking
the life out of someone else. And
that’s a super creepy thing to do! After that be sure to…

11. Have fun!
Sing!
Dance!
Celebrate!
Don’t let a day go by
without fun and laughter.
Not a day.
Don’t live in fear. Live in
faith.
Look for the good.
Hope for the best.
Love your family and
your friends.
Lastly, be sure to remember to…

12. Practice Acceptance – Don’t be a hater!
No criticism allowed! No good ever comes of it.
You’re in exactly the right place, doing exactly the
right thing.
You’re perfect and beautiful.
Every one of you.
Relax and enjoy your life and all the wondrous
experience of being here.

13. I remember the very moment this picture was taken. If only that young girl could
have known even a sliver of what lay ahead. The joy, the sorrow, the magic! The
blessing of lifelong friends, the treasure of family. New friends, growing family,
renewed connections. Puppies, babies, sunsets, spring times, summers, glorious
autumns, and long cozy winters. A wonderful life, ever changing. I wish such wonder
for each and every one of you. You have all made my life a joy.