Today is my 72nd birthday, marking both the day I was born, and reminding me once again that I am still here. What better words to wake up to on the beginning of my next trip around the sun than these, sent to me by a dear friend:
It’s a serious thing just to be alive
on this fresh morning in this broken world.
Mary Oliver
To be alive is everything. It means that I still have work to do, gifts to share, and lessons to learn. And so do you.
To be alive is everything. It means I still have tears to shed, joy to spread, meals to share and dishes to wash. I still have people to love, fences to mend, truth to tell, and thanks to give. And so do you.
To be alive is everything. It means that I still have torches to pick up, torches to carry, and torches to pass. And so do you.
To be alive is everything. The world may be broken, but it is not beyond repair, which means I can work to mend the world within my reach. And so can you.
To be alive is everything. One day I won’t be. But for now, on this fresh morning, I am. And that is a serious thing, for which I am seriously grateful.
