Unlike most people, I welcome change because change means I am still moving – hopefully forward. The only time I like to be still is during rest and prayer – both which are times of recharge and restoration.
This past week I celebrated birthday number 53! 😳😊. Boy, did it arrive quickly. I welcomed it with anticipation; not for any particular reason, just because I felt incredibly grateful for all things in my life, the good, bad and ugly, because those things are why today I am feeling so grateful. God has truly orchestrated all things for my good.
53 is a big change from, say, 23 or 33, but I have no desire to be anything other than 53 this year, to be all that 53 entails: wrinkles, whiskers, flab, silver hair, experience, wisdom, maturity…all of it. Thank God, my Creator, I also have good health still! So grateful for so many things.
How did I celebrate? Well, I my dear friend wanted to do something fun for the day so I took off work (my rule is to always take off work on your birthday) and we played all day…no real plan, just flowing with the day. For me, just being with friends and family I love is gift enough. My love language is definitely ‘quality time spent’. I’d much rather be with YOU than any of the STUFF you can give me. 😘
We started out early with a trip to Alpha Soda Restaurant. I love their stone ground grits, and since hasn’t been on my food list in the past year, I was excited to go. When the server found out it was my birthday she surprised me with this! So sweet of her! That was my order in the corner of the photo: bowl of grits, eggs with cheese and an English muffin.
From their we headed to Avalon. I’m not even sure what you call Avalon – I guess a fancy mall with stores, restaurants, condos, etc. 
We lakes all over the place their, got lost in the parking deck a while, walked around some more, laughed a lot, and rested in some beautiful chairs in Crate and Barrel, haha! It’s a beautiful atmosphere there.
After some an afternoon lunch of soup and sandwich at Panera Bread – had to get my bowl of Autumn Butternut Squash Soup, we chilled a bit, just having good conversation.
Believe it or not by evening, we headed to another restaurant. 😂😂. Oh my goodness, one of my fave places, The Village Tavern. I had a new dish, Braised Meatball Skillet …. Yes, more grits. I only tried it because it was such a unique combo – and it was extremely delicious. Wow! Again the server learned it was my birthday and …. Bam! Another desert. 😂😂 …what diet??!
No joke, by the time I finished the day, I thought I would explode! So this little beauty I was gifted was taken home. So fitting though, because I was just plain and simple … thankful. 😌
P.S. I was chicken to weigh-in the next day, but I did, and to my surprise was down 3.4 pounds. I guess I gave my body something to do in digesting all that food. 😏 However, I pretty much fasted the entire next day to give my body a rest.
Vessels and Vittles 