I love having really amazing people in my life. Those who inspire me in moments and those who inspire every moment of my life. I had the opportunity this past week to have the best birthday party with a friend ever…. I’ll tell you, this past February I thought I had done the bravest thing ever by inviting a handful of women to a party “for myself” where I asked for no gifts and just asked for these women I knew, trusted and respected to bring me as my gift, “their wish for me” for my 40th year. (Remember when you turn the year you are….you really have completed that year). I’ll tell you it is quite powerful to have people share with you, out loud their wishes of success, health and happiness.
However this past week, my amazing friend Betsy Talbot hosted her own 39th birthday party – and it rocked! See, Betsy and her husband Warren decided after a couple of adult beverages earlier last year – that they would save up, pare down and take a trip around the world. So, last week she invited some of her friends over for a ‘reverse birthday party’ where she identified 39 of her favorite things and some of her friends were invited to identify their favorite things – of her favorite things, in a little ‘auction off…read about the reverse birthday party on her blog to get the gist of the brilliant concept – where knowing she would need to be downsizing – in -lieu of just selling these things on Craig’s List, or eBay - where by the way she and Warren ROCK at selling stuff – she decided to give the people she loves the opportunity to own a piece of her history – and to have these things as a memory of her when she leaves.
What she shares with us and what Nancy Juetten captures in her blog is that Betsy realizes, “As I watched my favorite things go out the door, I realized what I’ll miss most of all when we leave are my friends.” It isn’t the stuff in our lives, that is most important, and in fact she advises us to remember that THE item is just a visual reminder of the memory, not the actual memory. Thanks for letting us capture some of our favorite visual reminders.
Many of us at this event have blogs and it was suggested by Nancy that we all write about our experience at Betsy’s party on rotating days inside our blogs – it’s a bit like a book with different chapters written from different perspectives.
I can’t wait to see what Betsy Moore thinks of the party tomorrow!
Today I am grateful for….
- The friendship of Betsy Talbot.
- The visioning of Nancy Juetten.
- Black boots – which Betsy – in a previous life, spent more on than I ever have on 3 pairs of shoes – combined.
- A red poncho – purchased on Betsy’s first anniversary weekend – in the town Pat and I first met each other in.
- Pat who made a beautiful cake for his friend.
Loo for more thoughts on this event from one of our other great friends, Betsy Moore tomorrow
….my wish for you and all you know is prosperity and the good fortune you deserve.
