Happy Birthday to my favorite boy!

Today is a very special day on planet earth because 25 years ago, Joel Forbes was born. He is just the most precious person in my life and I wanted to take this time to dedicate the blog to him...my best friend!!! Happy Birthday Joel. Today's blog is going to center around birthdays but I am going to share an age old tradition with you all.

I have a little tradition I do, naturally as I am Jew, called the "birthday quiz." This is a little questionnaire that I pose to all of my birthday boys and girls. It's a tough one sometimes because it could be that the answers are hard and emotional but overall, good to reflect and look forward to the next year. My basic questions are.... (but not limited to)

1. What was the coolest experience of this year for you?

2. What is the worst thing that happened to you this year?

3. What is the best thing that happend to you this year?

4. What are you really proud of this year?

5. What have you learned about yourself this year?

6. What are your goals for the new year?

Etc....

These questions are not limited but they are good exercises to do on your birthday. The other thing I do is I tell the birthday boy or girl how they affected my life in their last year. It's a moving, emotional, bonding, and beautiful time. I really love the birthday quiz time. Joel is my favorite person in the world so doing the birthday quiz with him is always special. This morning he and I went over the birthday quiz and as always, his answers were great!

As you celebrate your birthday this year or any other year, try the birthday quiz out on yourself. I do this on myself every year. Also try it on your friends. Also, please hook me up with your birthday so I can give you the birthday quiz. It makes you live each year with a little more purpose and drive!

Note to my favorite birthday boy...

Joel,

You are one of the biggest blessings of my life and I am honored to share this existence with you. Happy Birthday my dearest boy! :) I want you to know that without you my life would be less of an adventure. Thanks for being my best friend and so much more than that. I look forward to many more fun times, fun talks, serious talks, and meaningful moments. Here is to forever friendship! I love you my sweet boy!

Here is my learning and thankfulness for yesterday:

Learning March 2, 2005:

1. I like my alone time although I used to hate it.

2. I am learning so much about myself recently.

3. Lunches with old friends are great.

4. There is no better feeling than exercise and I really need to get back to it.

5. Exercise makes me sleep better so lately I am not sleeping well.

Thankfulness March 2, 2005:

I am thankful for a great HONEST talk with my friend Kevin. I have been holding some stuff back from him out of pure fear and last night I was able to share some of that. I don't know what good it did but at least it's out there. Thanks for listening Kevin and thanks for praying with me. Also, thanks God for strength and peace that passes my understanding.

~Shalom~