Happy Birthday to me!

On my birthday I often look back at the accomplishments over the past year and think about goals for the next one.

But this year I’m more inclined to celebrate moments.

In the past year of my life, my brother’s third child was born. My sister got married. I went to three big 40th birthday parties, was in two weddings and attended two more. I read hundreds (and hundreds) of books to my children.

I clinked glasses with my siblings. Sat in the evening over a bottle of wine with Greg.

Sailed on my parent’s sailboat.

I had accomplishments, too. I talked to strangers about food choices and the environment. Knocked on doors for the November election. Spent hours in the pool taking lessons. Took five million different classes at the gym (I’m rounding up here). Ran my 8th half marathon.

But when I started looking back through photos from the last year, it’s life that smiles back at me and not accomplishments.

It’s me and my girlfriends dressed up and grinning at each other over our wine glasses.

Greg and I snapping selfies on the plane to send to our parents and children as I join him on a business trip, or we travel to a college friend’s wedding, or head off to Amsterdam for our 10 year.

It was seeing my sister try on the wedding dress for the first time.

My son and I beaming at a photo station at his friend’s birthday party. Me on my bike. Me at the ocean. Us at the ocean.

Will with his first deck of Pokemon cards.

Our cat Nemo tolerating the kids’ affections.

Life.

Scrolling through photos made me excited for next year. Yes, for the accomplishments (I’d like to see a sprint triathlon in the summer and a half marathon in the fall) but really for the moments.

For Greg and I out trying a new cocktail together while our children get read to by grandparents and then tucked into bed.

To stand around the soccer field talking to friends and watching the kids play.

For more moments clinking glasses with my siblings, watching my kids splash in the pool with cousins, and searching for seals on my parents’ boat.

Why this sudden revelation? Maybe I’m older and wiser. (No.) Or I was less accomplished this year. (Maybe). Definitely, I’m thinking of my grandfather who I shared my birthday with, and whom we lost last year to cancer. Moments and people matter.

So this year I say cheers…. not to me this time (my birthday posts are usually a big long “Cheers to me!” which is also super fun and cheers to that too, cheers all around!) but cheers to life, and to another year of it beginning today. I’m grateful to be here, grateful for the people who share this life with me, and excited to live another year fully.

Feeling nostalgic? (Me too, it’s my birthday.) Here’s me wishing myself a happy birthday in 2015, 2014, and 2013. Cheers.

Pup, in one of life’s beautiful moments worth celebrating.