It’s My Birthday!

Hello friends! And yes…today is my birthday!!

Covid birthdays…am I right?

I saw this meme the other day, and it said…“I’m not adding this year to my age, I didn’t use it!”

Which…I’m not going to lie…I was like, fist pumping, and all…”that’s right, girl! You tell ’em!” — all the while, mentally adopting that mindset.

But the more I think about it…nah. That’s actually not what I’m going to do.

Sure, getting older, as a young woman, is never fun. There are pressures that come with age, be it career wise, where-you-are-in-life wise, marriage/family wise. Pressures that…log onto social media for 15 seconds, and you’ll instantly be bombarded with…where everyone else my age “is” on the timeline of “societally dictated benchmarks.”

But I’ve adopted a new mindset that has been incredibly freeing, and truly has given me so much joy and peace.

And that is the truth that getting older is a privilege that isn’t afforded to everyone.

I have been around the sun enough times to realize, and also experience first (or second) hand….that life is incredibly fragile, and we are not promised tomorrow.

I think, given this whole Covid situation, we all have come to a new appreciation of that, recently.

But this aspect of “not using” the precious, precious time we’ve been given? That’s just not going to fly in my book.

This life — every moment…whether we’re quarantined, whether we’re scraping to get by, whether we’re vacationing, whether we’re just trucking along… every single moment is a blessing, and one never to take for granted.

Sure, quarantine has been different, but it has honestly been an incredibly special time. Yes, I miss my parents and family every single gosh darn day, and would give my left leg to be able to fly home and visit them….but this time has really allowed me to grow friendships and relationships that matter.

Quarantine and social distancing has really allowed the “cream to rise to the top,” if that makes any sense whatsoever. It’s really pulled into crystal-clear focus the relationships that I want to cultivate, even when it’s inconvenient, or a little bit risky health-wise, or willing to risk getting caught in the rain at the park for.

And as a result, I’ve really grown super close with “my people.” Because not only have they become a priority in my life, but we survived a pandemic together. And that means something.

So…all that to say…I’m really grateful to have the immense privilege and blessing to have another year under my belt. And even though my pride may not want to admit I’m getting “older”…the fact of the matter is that, I have so much to be grateful for…and life is certainly one of them.

So — I hope you have a wonderful evening. I’m going to go meet up with “my people” right now, and have a little socially distanced, SMALL, outdoor get together, and celebrate, COVID-style!

“This is what the Lord says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life.” Ez 37:5

TAKE ME TO THE B³ STORE!

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433 responses to “It’s My Birthday!”

  8. Happy Birthday Caralyn! Many blessings to a person who works so tirelessly on her recovery and being about her Savior’s business. Enjoy and thanks for all your sharing and knowledge. John

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  13. HAPPY BIRTHDAY SWEETIE. Enjoy being young… It was fun for me, and now I’ve past the torch to your generation. Somedays I miss all of it. But when I look at all of you young ones, it makes me happy to see all the light still shining. Have adventures & have fun. I know it has given my lots of stories to pass on. Live life, enjoy and have an adventure.!!!!

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  14. Well then, “Happy Birthday, young lady!” You are also gaining “wisdom beyond you years” through this. Enjoy your day and remember; you are not aging, you are experiencing.

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  16. Happy Birthday, Caralyn!!! I pray Father shows you wonderful things this year, especially about Himself. And an early Congratulations! on topping 47,000 followers! You go, girl! 😊 Have a great evening celebrating!

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    • aw thank you so much KEnneth, that means a lot! and oh my gosh – yes! we did it! i didn’t even notice!! hahaha you’re the best! Hugs and love xox

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  20. Happy Birthday young lady. It may be a different time but it most certainly has given us a gift. Like all things we go through there is a silver lining where we are asked to look within and find a more beautiful loving person because of it.
    Enjoy your day, it can’t get any more special than this 😀 ❤️ 🙏🏽 🦋

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    • aw thank you so much Mark! yes! let’s cling to that silver lining! 🙂 Hugs and love xox

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  27. Happy birthday! Continue to be the person God has created you to be and forget about what society says you should be doing at this stage of life. God is using you in wonderful ways and has given you a strong platform. Not everyone can say that. Rejoice in the anniversary of your birth and the great things God has done in your life!

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    • thank you so much Matthew! this is a beautiful sentiment — i’m very touched 🙂 Hugs and love xox

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    • Thank you so much Jazmin! aw,, that put a huge smile on my face! means a lot! Hugs and love xox

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  35. Happy Birthday, Caralyn. May God bless you abundantly. And take it from an Oldster, life will come to you as God has planned. You know that already. All we need to do is open our arms to receive it in faith.

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    • thank you so much Renee!! aw, this is so encouraging! yes! receive it in faith! Hugs and love xox

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  42. Happy birthday Caralyn and an excellent perspective to have. Time is a gift from God, let’s not try and discount it when it feels it has been less than ideal for a while. It is these moments that truly make you value life and the people around you.

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    • aw this is such a beautiful note, thank you so much! you’re so right about that – a gift from our loving Father! Hugs and love xox

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  43. Happy Birthday. Feliz Cumpleanos. Joyuex Anniversaire. Parabens.
    You might be one year older, but you are still a young, strong, faithful, beautiful woman who God LOVES so much 🙂
    Birthday Blessings 🙂
    By the way, I would bake you a cake but I don’t know how and it would be stale by the time UPS got it to you 🙂

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    • thank you so much Anna! haha yes! squeezing the joy like orange juice! 🙂 heheh Hugs and love xox

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    • thank you so much Brendan! at this point, there’s no other option! hahaha Hugs and love xox

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  68. Happy birthday, my friend! You’ve made my life another year richer with your kindness and support, just as I’m sure you’ve enriched many other lives. God bless!

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    • aw thank you Jeff!! gosh, this brought a smile to my face — thanks for saying that. Grateful for another year around the sun! hope you and your girls have a great weekend! Hugs and love xox

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  69. Happy birthday, Caralyn! 🎈❤️ Next year, you’ll just have to celebrate double! Yes, I too learned a lot this year, plus my second grandbaby was born. There are still good things! 😻

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  70. Happy Birthday. May God richly bless you on your special day… My approach to age is this.. this year I will celebrate my 33 anniversary of my 39th Birthday.. you can stay young forever, just some days it doesn’t feel like it..

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    • aw thank you so much Dennis! That really means a lot. i love your mindset! glad you stopped by! Hugs and love xox

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    • awww, thank you so much Greg!! i appreciate that! and happy early birthday to you! Hugs and love xox

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    • Thank you so much Julie!! 🙂 and oh my gosh TWINS!! 🙂 Happy birthday to you too!!! hope you had a spectacular day!! 8/6 babies!! 🙂 Hugs and love xox

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    • Thank you so much Virginia! You’re so right about that! it’s a gift! Hugs and love xox

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  84. Happy Birthday, Caralyn! I love your outlook on growing older. God bless you … His goodness isn’t interrupted even by pandemics.

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    • Thank you so much Hilary! oh my gosh happy belated birthday! yes! i love August!! 🙂 Hugs and love xox

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      • It was a fabulous day! Spent with good friends! I have another celebration on Saturday which I’m really looking forward to too! 🙂 Hugs and love xox

      • I just realized that tomorrow is Saturday. This week flew by so quickly! Have a lovely weekend 🙂Hopefully there’s lots of sunshine!

  90. Oh, my dear Caralyn – so I wish you “Many happy returns of the day”,
    that all your good wishes come true, that you stay strong and healthy, that you continue to share your heart with us, that your head and heart continues to analyse situation which you digest to bring them on the table for all of us to learn from. Allow me to hug you many many times, my dear friend Caralyn – I am so happy for you. You are a wonderful person and in my heart as well.
    From heart to heart – HAPPY BIRTHDAY, dear Caralyn!

    Much love, many hugs and light to you
    Yours Didi

    Reply

  91. Wishing you many happy returns of the day on your special day and what a wonderful privilege it is to read your thoughts and inspiration at such a difficult time for many people.
    Life though has you said is a gift and we have a choice to make each and every day and I am grateful for the gift of being able to read your words and share a part of your birthday celebrations. XOXO.

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    • thank you so much Paul! I really appreciate that!! amen – it is a huge gift and blessing! Hugs and love xox

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    • Thank you so much Jillian! And happy early birthday to you!!! i agree — August is a great GREAT month! 🙂 Hugs and love xox

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  102. I couldn’t agree more my dear!! I also love getting older, wiser I feel. It is a privilege and I’ve used this time wisely to cultivate a deeper relationship with myself and God. May every wish come true on your special day and more dear Carolyn. So much love always 🙏🎉❤

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    • thank you so much! you’re absolutely right – it is a privilege! i appreciate your kind words! Hugs and love xox

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  105. A birthday on the Feast of the Transfiguration…well this certainly makes a whole lot more sense now. A blessed and tremendously happy birthday to you.

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    • thank you so much Eric! yes! oh my gosh i’ve never thought of it that way, but wow that’s a beautiful thought! Hugs and love xox

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  109. Dear Caralyn
    Happy birthday!
    Didn’t use this year? I beg to differ! Your blog has witnessed to Jesus throughout. Thank you for your steadfast faith.
    Love
    Penny xx

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    • thank you so much Penny! oh my gosh what a kind thing to say!!! that really means a lot 🙂 big hugs to you xox

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  117. Wishing you a very Happy, memorable, victorious Birthday.
    Life is precious and we must not take it for granted indeed. We must be grateful and make the most of it.
    So maximise the moment and enjoy the day to the full.

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    • thank you so much for your kind words! maximize the moment – love it!! Hugs and love xox

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  119. Happy Birthday Caralyn! 🎉🎶🎈💞
    I love this post! “Growing older is not a privilege afforded to all.”
    That’s a truly appreciative way to look at getting older and the value of each day we’re given.
    I hope you have a very happy celebration! 💖

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    • Thank you so much Sanjana! hope life is good in NZ! i would love to visit one day! Hugs and love xox

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  132. Happy Belated Birthday Queen. I knew our birthdays were close but I forgot the day. My milestone birthday is on the 11th. I had a subdued celebration last year knowing this year would be epic. God and I redesigned my celebration. This was an excellent post. God has also changed my mindset about COVID-19 and celebrating despite the pandemic. Everything is not ideal but sometimes you have to pull back the curtain and thank God for the things we can take for granted like food, shelter, a job, health, being a Christian, our five senses and so much more. God has called us for such a time to encourage and equip the masses. I thank God for your platform which has not only encouraged me but has allowed me to go deeper in my faith. I am so glad you said yes to God more than once. May he continue to honor your obedience. We have a whole 24 days left, we must celebrate all month. Happy August to you!

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    • aw thank you so much Ada! this is such a beautiful note! and happy early birthday to you! you’re so right – we have so much to be grateful for! and you as well! happy birthday month! 🙂 Hugs and love xox

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  136. Birthdays are moments where we are allowed to look back, look forward, and most of all enjoy the moment that God has placed us in. I have only read you blog for a few months now and I want you to know how much I have learned from you. Getting older never means we stop learning and growing. It also brings me much joy to see just how much I learn from those who are younger. Keep your mind and heart focused on God and He will grow and teach you, so that every birthday will be another step to loving Him and His creation, all ages, colors, and influences.

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    • thank you so much S! you’re so right about that – God has gifted us with these moments – it’s our job to live them to the full and appreciate them! big hugs to you xox

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  137. Happy Birthday! You don’t have to add to your physical age, but do add the wisdom you’ve gained to your spiritual age and wear it as a badge of honor because WISDOM is a virtue!

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    • thank you so much Meghan! 🙂 aw you’re kind to say that!!!! means a lot! Hugs and love xox

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