Today’s my birthday, I turn 65. Yikes, 65?? It is funny how 65 doesn’t seem as old to me as it once did—in spite of my aches and pains.

I don’t think I will be doing anything special today—maybe go out to dinner, or perhaps stay home and hubby will grill something.  When I turned 60 our daughter threw me a wonderful surprise party, and so many of my family and friends made such an effort to attend, you have no idea how it warmed my heart.

That birthday—my 60^th—came at a very stressful time for our family. Less than a month before the surprise party, my mother-in-law passed away. We held her wake at our home, and so many family members came to pay their last respects—and many of those same folks made the effort to travel again to celebrate my birthday. 

But it wasn’t just my beloved mother-in-law’s death that was heavy on our hearts. Days after her service it was confirmed—I had breast cancer.

But that was five years ago, and while I might be older, I am in a better place—almost five years cancer free. My Haunting Danielle series, which I had to put on hold back then to deal with life, is thriving. And I am now on Medicare—which saves me considerably each month on my medical bills.

I have many blessings to be thankful for this birthday—my wonderfully supportive husband and loving family, those two rascally pups, Danny and Lily, sweet old boy Spooky the Halloween Cat, good friends, and of course, my readers. Thanks to all of you who have helped make this a great year!