(Happy) Birthday

If you know me at all, you are probably aware of how much I ADORE birthdays. Today is my day! I’ve been looking forward to it all year. My co-workers and family threw me a surprise karaoke party at church yesterday afternoon. This morning I had coffee with a couple of good pals. It’s been fantastic so far and it’s not even 8:30 yet! Tomorrow I will go see my beloved LA Kings and get to meet Kelly Hrudy, one of my hockey heroes from my younger days. Things are good. My birthday IS a happy one.

But even without all of the trimmings, I’d have to admit that happiness is there for the taking. I don’t have to wait an entire year before I have another happy day. Just like everything else, my recovery is my choice. I must make a choice daily to look for and to find the joy and the happiness. Whether it’s in waking up to someone writing “Happy Birthday” on my car windows, or having a cup of coffee with friends, or just simply sitting in front of my computer and writing to you, my dear readers, happiness and love is all around me.

Thanks for being here (there?) for me, and Happy Birthday to you all!

-Rise Up!