It was the perfect birthday in every sense, and in all the ways only the universe can give. It was a summers day in April, the first-day blossom opened on the tree. It was there as I opened my curtains, a beautiful nature's gift. There was the cycle lane in town, newly marked in fresh white paint, and the strangers who said they were reached by my writing, that they were helped. There was the unexpected wait for a friend that lead me into the chocolate shop, then precious time with the friend, with someone proud to be seen with me, someone who listens and cares. The evening stretches ahead, time with my three favorite people in the world, my kids, the ones who hold my heart in their eyes.

A birthday can be sweet without cake or fanfare when you are your own super-fan when you are confident that you are a sweet person who does good each day of each year as best you can. Then you can enjoy your day with an inner glow, then kind that will shine in your eyes.