Today's thoughts

12/11/2024

I had a birthday this week. I turned 75. It seemed like an important occasion. I look back on this quarter of a century and have no regrets. It wasn’t a perfect life, but it was a life of quality in which I participated. I have two extraordinary daughters, a fabulous grandson, and a husband who loves and respects me.

Looking forward, I will focus on truly seeing people. My mother saw people, no matter their station in life. I was at a baseball field with her SnowIce SoNice cart. She asked a young boy, maybe eight years old, if he wanted a snow cone. He said he didn’t have any money. She asked if he would taste one of her new flavors—she saw him. My dad saw people, too. He was driving through downtown Worcester, Massachusetts, and noticed a member of the military standing in dress uniform on Thanksgiving morning. He invited him to join our family for dinner. In the following years, he looked for others to invite.

In the future, I won’t be “busy” rushing here and there. I will focus on relationships and activities that bring me joy. I learned this approach to life on the Camino but somehow allowed it to slip away.

How was you day? Leave a comment so I know you're out there!

10 Comments

Judy Ann Mouradian

12/12/2024 08:54:30 am

A belated happy birthday to you Elizabeth!

Elizabeth Kilcoyne link

1/30/2025 03:11:12 pm

Thanks, Judy. It feels good. I'm looking forward to whatever I can do to help our community and country. Onward.

Mary Whitmore

12/12/2024 09:00:55 am

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! I love reading everything you send me.Martha is enjoying your new outlook on life. I'm sorry she missed this big day!!You look gorgeous in your picture and your grandson looks like he loves to pieces. That's the way it should be. Love you! Mary Whitmore

Elizabeth link

2/7/2025 03:01:55 pm

Mary, Thank you for your kind words. I am trying to stay healthy in body and spirit this time. I hope you and Mark are well. See you at an event soon.

Nicole

12/12/2024 09:39:39 am

Happy Happy 75th Elizabeth... you are an inspiration!
Seeing others, on personal levels, is what is needed more these days! So great.

Elizabeth link

2/7/2025 03:06:32 pm

Nicole, I feel the same way. We need to get to know our communities better. I'm trying in my neighborhood. It's challenging because people are not used to hanging around. COVID-19 has affected our social skills!

David Russell

12/12/2024 12:54:32 pm

Elizabeth, thanks for sharing this. 75! That is a big occasion on which to look back and reflect (in 6 years for me!). I like your idea of concentrating on seeing people, and the examples from your parents are touching. Yes, in our busyness we can lose track of "relationships and activities that bring me joy." Thank you for the reminder. I actually read a book on this subject a while back, How To Know a Person by David Brooks. x.com/RobertKennedyJr/status/1863328003763393001

Elizabeth link

2/7/2025 03:11:00 pm

David, We missed you at the Thank You Brunch. There were books for favors, and How to Know a Person by David Brooks was available. I selected it. Now I'll have to read it.

Stacey Michael link

12/13/2024 08:26:57 pm

I love this new direction, Elizabeth! More power to you!

Elizabeth link

2/7/2025 03:15:05 pm

Hi, Stacey. Nice to hear from you. 75 is going to be fun and challenging. How do we be our best selves while our country is being violated? I'll be writing about that soon.

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