Last year my 50th birthday was wonderful! I got a diamond ring from Darren, the garage door I have always wanted, dinner out, and presents from my teenagers. My friend said, “Wow! This year is going to suck compared to last year.”

This year my birthday was different. My family took the time to make my favourite sushi supper. Jayda made me my favorite vegan desert. We sat in the dining room, set the table, turned off technology, and had a real visit.

I smiled as I looked around the table through a new lens, reflecting on all I have to be grateful for during this difficult time.

We are all together. Last year, Jayda was living away from home and John was too busy with his friends to come for supper with us.

We are healthy. I did a healing prayer for everyone who is suffering and everyone in health care.

Darren and I are doing extremely well mentally. I am so grateful for him. We realize that we are a grounding force for our teenagers who need to know that, no matter what, they will be ok. I prayed for the children who do not have family support.

We have adjusted our spending to have just enough to get us by for the next few months—probably something we needed to do for a very long time.

We are wasting nothing, and I mean nothing — something else this family has probably really needed to do.

We have enough. If a store I loved was open today, I would be shopping at it, but what do I really need?

This birthday did not suck at all. It was wonderful, in a new and very different way… Through a different lens.

Be safe and healthy,