Every morning, while Michael and I are getting ready for work, I will tell Alexa to play some music. Sometimes I tell her what to play, usually a playlist that I have curated of music that both of us enjoy hearing. Sometimes, I just let Alexa decide what we’re going to listen to. When it’s our birthdays, I ask Alexa to play songs from whatever year we were born. The first time I did this, it was Michael’s birthday and the first song to start playing was one by Creedence Clearwater. I don’t remember which song it was, but I looked at Michael and said “So….this was 1975?”

Yesterday, when I asked Alexa to play the hits from 1976, the first song to start playing was Don’t Go Breaking My Heart, by Elton John and Kiki Dee. All the songs that followed were similar disco roller skating songs, with the exception of Paul Simon’s 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover. As I swayed my hips from side to side, dancing to this music, I thought “this explains my love of roller skating.” It made me chuckle. I am a toddler of the seventies with my little toddler ears hearing the Bee Gees swirled together with Eric Clapton and Alice Cooper. I am a child of the eighties where I started to lean towards punk rock and alternative artists while still tuning into the tunes of Debbie Gibson and Tiffany. I am a teen of the nineties with grunge and hip-hop and still more alternative music.

I’ve been fortunate to be part of such diversity of musical influences.

I received so many messages of love yesterday. Even the Cabbage sent me a birthday text. Thank you. My dear friend Amani called to FaceTime, which we’ve never done with each other before. I have to tell you, when her live face popped up on my phone, my heart leaped. It was such a joy to see her and laugh with her and oh, how we laughed. I’m sure the people in my office were wondering what the heck was going on, particularly when I got up to draw on the whiteboard to explain to Amani something about work. Which then we laughed even more. It was like we just picked up where we left off from camp. I usually cringe at the idea of talking on the phone and FaceTime makes me want to put a bag over my head, but this was so so nice. I am softening when it comes to communicating by phone and FaceTime.

My birthday is one of those days that tend to be difficult, but not because I am turning a year older. It’s just difficult. Some of you know why and the rest of you don’t need the depressing details. I approach the day with the no expectations and no sudden moves. I just sit back and take in all the well wishes and what a blessing it is to have so many messages of love that I can’t keep up with all the thank yous.

So, with all of the intact parts of my heart, I thank you for the messages of joy.