Thirty Six: A Wish List of Good Intentions

Today I am thirty six years old. I woke up in my own bed next to a husband that I adore, with a silly dog warming my feet and two children blissfully asleep down the hall. I spent the 5 previous nights in the French countryside, sipping wine, laughing at my awful French pronunciation and holding hands with the love of my life.

Today I am grateful for my incredible, handsome, inspiring husband who thinks I am more special that I ever believe I am. I am grateful for my parents who bravely, graciously watched our children while we travelled. For the children who love me as much as I love them and more than I usually deserve, the family, friends, clients, mentors, caregivers, neighbors and acquaintances who keep me laughing, moving, changing, growing and challenging myself.  Today I am grateful for the cake in the oven and the bouquet of flowers on the table. For all the amazing people who have helped make these 36 years memorable. Today I am a few pounds heavier, my hair is a little grayer and my smile has a few more laugh lines but heart is fuller than I can ever remember.

Today I am overwhelmed by the fact that my birthday wish list is empty. Since my wishes have already come true, I’ve overwritten my list with good intentions, one for every candle on my cake. These are the things that I have done today or plan to do to pay it forward. I invite you to make your own list. Do it for my birthday or do it for your own birthday or for your kid’s birthday. The occasion matters less than the intention behind it. Maybe if we all combine our good intentions, the results will burn brighter than birthday candles. #ProjectBirthdayCandles

1. Make a birthday donation to one of my favorite charities
2. Buy a gift from the Amazon Wishlist of another favorite charity
3. Donate 36 cans of food to our local food pantry
4. Say “yes” to the next person who asks me for my spare change
5. Pay for the person behind me next time I’m at Starbucks
6. Spend an extra 36 minutes reading stories to my kids this week
7. Play fetch with Zoey (her favorite), making sure to toss the ball at least 36 times
8. Watch Wheel of Fortune with my Grandma
9. Invite our neighbor’s kids over for a playdate so their mom can have a break
10. Make a meal for a family in need through our church’s volunteer meal program
11. Take charge of bath and bedtime so that Jon can play guitar after work more often
12. Add an extra $36 to our church tithe envelope this Sunday
13. Spend 36 minutes doing puzzles with Lilly
14. Spend 36 minutes playing cars with Max
15. Donate treats to our local animal shelter
16. Call my sister
17. Send a box of baby clothes to my best friend
18. Buy flowers for our babysitter because she’s incredible
19. Pick up trash and throw it away the next time I see some on the sidewalk
20. Give some of our garden tomatoes to a neighbor
21. Drop off a box of unused toys and clothes to the charity around the corner
22. Have a family dance party in the living room
23. Organize some games for the neighborhood kids at our block party
24. Send a thank you note to an old colleague who really inspired me
25. Take a meal to a friend who just had a baby
26. Get up early with the kids so Jon can go for a morning jog
27. Connect a couple of clients/colleagues/friends who could help and inspire one another
28. Cook stuffed peppers for my husband because he loves them
29. Volunteer to help with the children’s liturgy program at church
30. Take my mom out for lunch without the kids
31. Take Zoey for a walk, just the two of us
32. Take Lilly to the park, just the two of us
33. Take Max to story time at the library, just the two of us
34. Say “yes” the next time the cashier at Walgreens asks if I want to donate $5 to charity
35. Say “yes” the next time the petco cashier asks if I want to donate $5 to charity
36. Sign up as a volunteer with the local food pantry