+ Her Barefoot Heart

gifts of friendships

Birthday2

~~~ an altar to friendships ~~~

today’s my birthday,
and i don’t think
i’ve ever felt
so seen,
so loved
as when i
opened the gifts
from angela
and julie,
when i read
the post penned
by angela.
when my husband
and daughter
spent the entire day
doing just what i wanted
to do,
and doing it
without complaint.
when my brother
and sister
gathered with us
to enjoy my favorite foods
cooked by my mother
and to eat the cake
made by the
recipe my
grandmother used
to bake my cakes.
when my son
called at both
ends of the day,
just to talk.
and oh my goodness,
all the birthday wishes
awaiting me on facebook
– some of the most beautiful sentiments
and wishes that sent tears making
a run for my chin –
and twitter
and email
and voicemail.

thank you all
for taking time
for me
in this, a day
dedicated to love.

though i don’t want to
age accordingly,
i am thinking we need
to proclaim the 14th of
every month
a type of valentine’s day,
a day to pause and say
“i love you” to
those special people
in our lives.
or then again,
maybe we just tell
at least 14 people
every single day.
yes, maybe so.

More about 365 Altars

9 Comments

  1. Liz

    I adore you. 

    • whollyjeanne

      and the feeling is, my friend, quite mutual. xo

  2. Mark

    Ah, Jeanne…your heart, compassion and love if All God’s Critters….such a gift you have. And share

    For that, I Love You as well.

    • whollyjeanne

      thank you, mark. i’m tucking your comment in my love notes folder to pull out on Those Days. xo

  3. Julie Daley

    Happy Birthday, Dear friend. I’m so glad your day was so filled with love.

    • whollyjeanne

      it was, jewels, and you added a heapin’ helpin’ of that. love you.

  4. Sarah

    even though we know we are made for love to inhabit us, we still shudder and shed our skins to make room for it. and on a day when people stop and turn to you, allowing the love to show and saturate you, what a blessing to remember that this is what you are here for.  happy next day after the love shower, savoring the drips that still gather on your edges. 

  5. Angela

    Here’s something to remember, too: you deserve all of this and more. xo

  6. Anonymous

    A very late happy birthday to you … but a heartfelt one nonetheless! 🙂

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