Haha! I’m younger is the second thing I said to my dear friend, Donna, this morning after wishing her a happy 60th birthday. She said I wasn’t far behind her – and I’m not – I turn sixty in August. But that does make me younger, doesn’t it?
My friend is my hero. We met almost three years ago in yoga class and have shared floor space as well as life space ever since. Donna is an amazing person. She’s always there for everyone, no matter what their need is. In my case she didn’t even know my need when we met. I was a pretty sad, broken individual that occupied that neighboring mat every morning. Donna was a life-line without ever knowing it. She taught me not to let other people bring their stuff into my life and destroy it. She showed me how to be compassionate without taking on other people’s woes and sinking right along with them. This is no small skill. Donna taught me how to be a real help to people, not a hindrance.
And positive? If anyone can see the silver linings in life, it’s her. Her reactions to things that happened over the years, both in her life and mine, were examples of focusing always on the good. Many days she shifted my perspective and eased my pain without ever knowing it.
And talk about letting things roll right off your back. The woman is a master. If it weren’t for her I’d still be sitting in the back corner of the yoga room holding my mat and sucking my thumb. She taught me how to stand up and go out there and be who I used to be. Not to let the things happening day to to day that were paralyzing me, cripple me permanently.
There is nothing so hard as recovering from a broken heart. My best picture book I wrote and hope to soon illustrate and publish shows the cracked, broken shards laying on the ground. Donna is the kind of friend who helps you pick those up and stitch your heart back together again.
And last, but not least, don’t let the number sixty scare you if you haven’t reached it yet. Donna goes to both fit club and yoga with me regularly. She has two daughters and a husband and a business to run. She’s always out there lunching with friends and helping people. She is an inspiration to all women who are younger than her. (Including me…lol!)
Yes, Donna dear, you are sixty today, but that’s just a celebration to the gateway of the next thirty years that you will be out there inspiring needy souls like me and helping others have better days. I love you and admire you. You are one of the heroes in my life. May this day be the best for you, and may we both teach our daughters how to turn sixty with the grace and poise such as you have done.
And so, as another day goes by, you know what they say – many people enter your life, but it’s up to you to decide who stays and who goes, my dear Donna you are definitely staying, (because we have to go to your pool this summer 🙂 ) and…I have written.
Linda… how will I fit into the yoga room ??? My head is gonna be too large to fit through the door after reading this. You are so kind and loving to see me this way. I can only say what you give comes around and I just love you coming my way anytime.