Oh Happy Day to me!

There is nothing like walking in the sunshine of a clear spring morning. I fully appreciated the wind messing up my, what turned out to be, perfect hair day... it didn't matter. I was walking to get my birthday cup of Tim Horton's coffee before heading into work. It didn't matter that I waited 10 of the longest minutes for the SLOWEST Tim staff. It didn't even matter that I ended up swiping in at work 2 minutes late even though I had actually arrived 20 minutes early...it was my birthday. I almost had a Mary Tyler Moore moment walking into the building. If I had a cap on, I would have tossed it upward.

Does anyone understand?? I DON'T like mornings, and I am not usually perky in the AM. In fact...grouchy is a good descriptive word. It's not that I hate mornings, it's just I don't see the need why they exist. I wasn't even overly happy. I just wasn't my usual "Good Morning! - no...Morning. Good has yet to be established..." self.

I walked into the office with info boards and papers decorated with Happy Birthday Jolene!! I had several choruses of Happy Birthday sung to me. Staff that weren't in called, retired staff came in to visit. There were several gifts and cards, all of them special. I got to my home away from home, and was treated to a fun dinner and special dessert. I can remember a few years back, when I came to work one day (not my current work) on my birthday, and not one person said anything. I heard from about 5 people - 2 of which were my parents. And as much as sometimes we say, "hey, it doesn't matter, they probably had lots of people wish them well..." you never know...

I felt loved. Needed. Appreciated. Special. And sometimes you need it more than you know. It isn't until after the fact that you realize how much you want to be thought of as those things.

I have a lot of friends. I know a lot of people. And though the last few years of my life have seen major ups and downs, I know that there are a core group of people I can count on. Even when I am silent, I know, that they know, that I love them. I appreciate them. And who cares about getting older, it's who you grow old with.

Thank you my dear friends, family, and co-workers. You made my day.


"Feeling appreciated is one of the most important needs that people have. When you share with someone your appreciation and gratitude, they will not forget you. Appreciation will return to you many times."
Steve Brunkhorst