The past ten days have been a whirlwind of life cycle events that have had me on emotional highs and lows. These are the moments in our lives that cause us to pause and take stock of our lives. These are the moments where we focus and remember to not take anything for granted.
These past ten days my new niece was born. My partner and I have 6 nieces, 6 nephews, and 2 great nieces (we are so lucky!) What a gorgeous gift she is! She was named after my father, who died two years ago this month and my grandmother, who died 7 years ago this month. I then attended the funeral of a colleague of mine who is very young and lost her parents in a car accident – it was heartbreaking to see. Then I went to a friend’s daughter’s birthday party, followed by a bar mitzvah.
Happy and sad occasions intertwined – life beginnings and endings overlapping. These are the moments we really feel what it is like to be human, to be vulnerable.
Today, 150 days ’til 40, I pause – and am thankful for all that I have in my life.
~400daystil40
Fortuitous Forty!!! 
walkwiththerabbi
September 24, 2012 at 00:28
I wish you, your partner, the kids and family, a heart-felt L’ Chaim! I so appreciate our correspondence and friendship.
400daystil40
September 24, 2012 at 22:16
Thank you – me too!!! 🙂
changeforbetterme
September 24, 2012 at 00:33
The ebb and flow of life.
400daystil40
September 24, 2012 at 22:16
Yes~
beverlydyer
September 24, 2012 at 00:33
Art (like writing your blog) can heal at these times.
400daystil40
September 24, 2012 at 22:15
Very good point!
buckwheatsrisk
September 24, 2012 at 04:20
congrats on your new niece! sorry about your colleague.
400daystil40
September 24, 2012 at 22:15
Thank you.
buckwheatsrisk
September 24, 2012 at 22:30
you’re welcome. 🙂
The Quiet Borderline (back in hospital)
September 24, 2012 at 09:22
What a whirlwind of events.
Well done for getting through it!
400daystil40
September 24, 2012 at 22:15
Thanks….. day by day….
mybeautfulthings
September 24, 2012 at 09:32
It was the death of a friend, far too early, that was the inspiration for my blog. I agree, we should be thankful for all that we have and celebrate all these occasions with love. 🙂
400daystil40
September 24, 2012 at 22:15
Oh wow, Yes, we can be inspired through our pain. I am glad I found your blog and you found mine. I wish you the best!
knitxpressions
September 24, 2012 at 11:27
and afterall, such is life – filled with the bitter and the sweet.
400daystil40
September 24, 2012 at 22:14
So very true – and in some of those moments I knit to escape!!! 🙂
knitxpressions
September 25, 2012 at 07:55
haha…being a knitter myself, I completely understand what you mean. Oh the joy of knitting to escape! =D
kenthinksaloud
September 24, 2012 at 11:30
Gosh what a lot of very different life events have happened to you in so short a space of time. You have my sympathies though I am delighted for you on the birth a(nother) new niece! 🙂
400daystil40
September 24, 2012 at 22:13
Yes, it was a crazy week! The good part was my new niece!!! 🙂
kenthinksaloud
September 25, 2012 at 12:19
Indeed. Enjoy her! 🙂
mskatykins
September 24, 2012 at 12:04
The circle of life can be so very devastating. I’m pleased that you were able to celebrate the good news and to show your colleague support.
400daystil40
September 24, 2012 at 22:13
Yes, it really can be…… os very sad.
Another Thousand Words
September 24, 2012 at 18:34
Just wondering here…do you feel we’d go stark raving mad if we were happy all the time…because it seems many of those who are sad all the time end up being institutionalized….
400daystil40
September 24, 2012 at 22:13
This made me laugh out loud!!! GREAT question!!! 🙂
Another Thousand Words
September 25, 2012 at 03:34
Laughing here, because I made YOU laugh!
viveka
September 25, 2012 at 15:19
It comes with our age … in my age there is more funerals those days .. and nearly no weddings. The circle of life, I suppose.
400daystil40
September 25, 2012 at 23:30
Yes – though, to be honest, I have had this my entire life….. My best friend died when I was 16 – it was very sad……
simon7banks
September 25, 2012 at 16:09
Unless we can laugh and smile, cry and feel moments of despair, we are not fully human.
400daystil40
September 25, 2012 at 23:28
Very true.
Pamela J. Peterson
September 26, 2012 at 18:52
I love how closely our blog messages coincide. I just wrote “opposites attract” death and life along with suffering and joy. I also loved your quote about forgiveness from Mark Twain. I will be quoting those sweet smelling words often thanks to your great blog.!
400daystil40
September 26, 2012 at 23:20
That is very cool!!! 🙂