A Birthday Wish & Sighing

Today is my birthday and, like all true Leo’s, I love to bask in the day and in the warm light of all the birthday greetings. But not today. Today feels different. Today is different. Today, I’m thinking not about whether there will be cake (that I didn’t make) or if there will be a surprise (us Leos usually think there will be and we like it to be a sparkly one at that). No, today, I’m thinking about a few of the amazing, strong, inspiring and courageous women that have touched my life this summer and I’ve been doing a lot of sighing. You know what I mean.. lots and lots of deep breaths in with a slightly audible exhale. I’m a sigher. I could even be considered a world class sigher as I do it all the time.. or so I am told. You know what ‘they’ say about a sigh, right? Well.. about a hundred years ago, a photographer I once worked with told me that “a sigh is a silent scream”. Sometimes, that’s not accurate but, I tell you, this summer it is way more than accurate…

Two very special women in my life lost husbands this summer. Both men in their early 50’s with wonderful families, careers and friends. Full lives with a world full of promise ahead of them. The saying “it’s not fair” doesn’t even begin to cover what we have all been feeling. Yet, watching both of these young women negotiate their new path has been inspiring. Through tears and grief, they have held their heads high and strong, planning memorial services quickly and beautifully while we cried and celebrated their guys’ lives beautifully and with gusto – just the way both of them had lived. Putting one foot in front of the other is their task at hand and they are doing so with the help of friends, family and countless others who are sending love their way.

And there’s more sighing… There are other women I know “IRL” and from Twitter who are battling cancer — too many of them. To those gorgeous ladies, I send my love and #goodvibes. All of these women have brought me to a deeper place in my own soul. I am humbled by their spirit and grateful for the chance to share even a small part of their lives. Some are public folk and a few are battling privately but names really matter not at all as it is their hearts that stand out.. Big as the day is long.

For those kind folks that have sent me lovely Birthday Wishes, I thank you and ask that you send those same good vibes and happy thoughts out to those that need it most… to my friends as well as those around you who could use loving support through difficult times.

Hugs to you and yours,

Abby

ps.. if you’d like to  read more about Jennie and her Mickey

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