Hey You!
I bet that you’ve come to my facebook page because you wanted to wish me a happy birthday. Well, you may remember this quirky thing about me (or maybe you never knew it in the first place) but I’m not a big fan of making a big deal out of my birthday. However, one of my best friends recently reminded me that our birthdays – especially the big ones (like this one for me)- are not ours. They tend to belong to our friends and family.
She is absolutely right – more so than she realized. I want to take a moment to speak about why my birthday belongs to you.
This birthday, more than others, has served as a reflection. A time to look back and say "How did I get here?" and more importantly to me "Who has helped me?"
Maybe it's because of where I am right now in my life and the many things that I'm thinking about; maybe that is something that everyone does on their 30th. Regardless, I've enjoyed remembering all of your faces, all of your smiles, all of the laughter. It's been a great life and I'm looking forward to all that is to come. I wish I could call each and everyone of you up and thank you personally. You deserve that- although it would be slightly unrealistic for me to pull that off. Instead, I will have to settle for the below:
Simply stated – I know I am the woman I am today because of all that we have shared. And although it may sound conceited to say out loud – I really like who I am. (Well...99% of the time at least-I always leave room for improvement). Thank you for sticking with me and helping me find "me" throughout the past 30 years. You are sharing the success that I have gotten this far.
One of my favorite poems is called “Bits & Pieces”. I’ve mentioned it in my blog before. I’ve shared it with many of you when I thought we may be parting (this was before Facebook- little did I know technology would allow me to stay in touch and reconnect so easily;). I keep a copy of this poem by my desk at all times. It serves as a daily reminder that people may move in and out of our lives, but I will always, ALWAYS carry a part of you with me. You have touched my life and I am more because of that. I would be less if you had never been a part of my life.
Your influence – it may have been fleeting. Or you may have only shared a past season of my life with me… high school, college, a committee, a work relationship, a volunteer activity. If I am lucky, you are ever present in my day to day life and our relationship continues to grow. I actually hope that most of you feel that I am still present in your life –even if it isn’t day to day. It is always my intention to stay in contact with people. I don’t like letting people walk out of my life. Because you are important to me.
You are important to me because of the experiences we have shared. You have laughed with me – very loudly and often at very inappropriate times – during the blissfully happy moments that have come so easily when I am with you. You have helped me smile and shrug off the awkwardness of my perpetual ability to create embarrassing moments. Followed by more inappropriate laughter…. You have intervened when you saw me going down a wrong path, saying the wrong thing, or not being true to myself. You have encouraged me to do more, be involved, and dream. You let me take control of the dance floor - and even let me drag you on the dance floor on occasion so I wouldn't be the ONLY one out there dancing like an idiot (although that has been known to happen on occasion...). You asked me questions that made me imagine possibilities. You have encouraged me to speak my mind and share my thoughts - even when I was still figuring out what my beliefs, principles, and opinions were. You taught me about discipline and work ethic. You showed me to listen first, speak second. You have accepted my apologies when I have made mistakes, only asking that I learn from those mistakes because everyone makes mistakes. You have lifted me up when I wasn’t sure how to pull myself out of the few dark days that have peppered my life. You created confidence. You taught me to be grateful and how the spirit of appreciation - saying a simple, honest word intended to express thanks - can lift someone in a time of trial or frustration, and can also lift your soul.
You are important to me because you have pushed me to see that all experiences – the good & not-so-good – are a blessing, an essential part of this wonderful journey I am traveling. A stepping stone that I can push off of. And with each new experience whether it be with an old or new friend, each new step, I am continuing to discover and define who "me" is.
I want you to know that these are the lessons that I have learned in my first 30 years. I want you to know that I appreciate that I learned them from you. I want you to know that I appreciate you.
My birthday is not my own. It belongs to you – my friends, my family.
Thank you for walking with me, no matter how long or short our journey together has been. You make this life beautiful. I hope that our paths continue to cross in the next 30…
Love,
She is absolutely right – more so than she realized. I want to take a moment to speak about why my birthday belongs to you.
This birthday, more than others, has served as a reflection. A time to look back and say "How did I get here?" and more importantly to me "Who has helped me?"
Maybe it's because of where I am right now in my life and the many things that I'm thinking about; maybe that is something that everyone does on their 30th. Regardless, I've enjoyed remembering all of your faces, all of your smiles, all of the laughter. It's been a great life and I'm looking forward to all that is to come. I wish I could call each and everyone of you up and thank you personally. You deserve that- although it would be slightly unrealistic for me to pull that off. Instead, I will have to settle for the below:
Simply stated – I know I am the woman I am today because of all that we have shared. And although it may sound conceited to say out loud – I really like who I am. (Well...99% of the time at least-I always leave room for improvement). Thank you for sticking with me and helping me find "me" throughout the past 30 years. You are sharing the success that I have gotten this far.
One of my favorite poems is called “Bits & Pieces”. I’ve mentioned it in my blog before. I’ve shared it with many of you when I thought we may be parting (this was before Facebook- little did I know technology would allow me to stay in touch and reconnect so easily;). I keep a copy of this poem by my desk at all times. It serves as a daily reminder that people may move in and out of our lives, but I will always, ALWAYS carry a part of you with me. You have touched my life and I am more because of that. I would be less if you had never been a part of my life.
Your influence – it may have been fleeting. Or you may have only shared a past season of my life with me… high school, college, a committee, a work relationship, a volunteer activity. If I am lucky, you are ever present in my day to day life and our relationship continues to grow. I actually hope that most of you feel that I am still present in your life –even if it isn’t day to day. It is always my intention to stay in contact with people. I don’t like letting people walk out of my life. Because you are important to me.
You are important to me because of the experiences we have shared. You have laughed with me – very loudly and often at very inappropriate times – during the blissfully happy moments that have come so easily when I am with you. You have helped me smile and shrug off the awkwardness of my perpetual ability to create embarrassing moments. Followed by more inappropriate laughter…. You have intervened when you saw me going down a wrong path, saying the wrong thing, or not being true to myself. You have encouraged me to do more, be involved, and dream. You let me take control of the dance floor - and even let me drag you on the dance floor on occasion so I wouldn't be the ONLY one out there dancing like an idiot (although that has been known to happen on occasion...). You asked me questions that made me imagine possibilities. You have encouraged me to speak my mind and share my thoughts - even when I was still figuring out what my beliefs, principles, and opinions were. You taught me about discipline and work ethic. You showed me to listen first, speak second. You have accepted my apologies when I have made mistakes, only asking that I learn from those mistakes because everyone makes mistakes. You have lifted me up when I wasn’t sure how to pull myself out of the few dark days that have peppered my life. You created confidence. You taught me to be grateful and how the spirit of appreciation - saying a simple, honest word intended to express thanks - can lift someone in a time of trial or frustration, and can also lift your soul.
You are important to me because you have pushed me to see that all experiences – the good & not-so-good – are a blessing, an essential part of this wonderful journey I am traveling. A stepping stone that I can push off of. And with each new experience whether it be with an old or new friend, each new step, I am continuing to discover and define who "me" is.
I want you to know that these are the lessons that I have learned in my first 30 years. I want you to know that I appreciate that I learned them from you. I want you to know that I appreciate you.
My birthday is not my own. It belongs to you – my friends, my family.
Thank you for walking with me, no matter how long or short our journey together has been. You make this life beautiful. I hope that our paths continue to cross in the next 30…
Love,
Katy
aka
Katy Bell (to anyone at ISU, Kappa Delta, or post college)
Or
Katherine (to my Uncle Phil and brother)
Katherine (to my Uncle Phil and brother)
Or
Katydid (to my Grandpa Bob)
Or
Baby Girl (to my best friend Traci)
Or
Sis (to my Grandpa Melvin)
Or
Bell (to any of my high school coaches)
Or
Blondie (to my regulars at TGI Fridays, Cedar Rapids)
Or
Bell (to any of my high school coaches)
Or
Blondie (to my regulars at TGI Fridays, Cedar Rapids)
Or
Cat (to the kitchen staff, pro shop, and Monday afternoon bar patrons at Des Moines Golf)
Or
KtB (to Mandy Miller)
Or
Kiddo (to Grandpa Jack)
Or
Katy Bell De-Jungeeeeee (to the CFF staff girls)
Or
KtBD (again, to Mandy Miller once the last name changed)
Or
Katy Bell DeJonge (to Hugh)
Or
Katy Bell DeJonge (to Hugh)
Or
Mrs. Dr. (self proclaimed to share how proud I was when Kendall got his PhD)
Or
Miss Katy (to Mike Laughlin)
Or
Cruise Director (to Kira Rislove & the 1717ers)
Or
Miss Katy (to Mike Laughlin)
Or
Cruise Director (to Kira Rislove & the 1717ers)
Or
Whatever name you have decided fits me....
But I will always answer to Katy
But I will always answer to Katy
