a reflection | forty trips around the sun

olive juneJune 28, 2023

i wrote this on the evening of my birthday |
june 25, 2023

today felt like a dream

from an iced coffee and breakfast in the morning to a seafood picnic + cheesecake + rośe at sunset, we spent the entire day, as a family, by the sea

the ocean was the prettiest i have ever seen it; it kept taking my breath away.

it was one of the best days of my life

of this beautiful

one life

and i can’t wait to see all of the beauty this next decade will bring…

parks and i swam for hours in the crystal clear water, nash built big sandcastles, and rosemary napped on my chest throughout the day.

i could not ask for more

my thirties brought my three children, a marriage to the sweetest man (who made all of today possible), friendships, good health, and many trips and memories i will cherish.

as i watched my last sunset of my 30s last night alone

a crescent moon and one shining star above

the sky looked majestically painted, all pale colors

i felt grateful.

thank you for all of the messages and love and kindness sent

words will forever be my favorite gift

it was a birthday- a summer june day- to remember

for always

and always.

during these days |

my little family
water inspires me and always has – lakes and oceans and bays
a dreamer, a romantic, a sensitive soul (the older i get, the more i embrace these)
floral oil paintings; oceans, too
cups of coffee and yoga and the way the trees sway around
joni mitchell and norah jones and tift merritt and george jones and caamp and all 70s
the moon- it’s always there
‘both sides now’ and ‘moon river’ are my favorite songs
this one , too
reading and libraries and books
flowers | peonies and garden roses
spicy ethnic food – i appreciate food and am so glad i enjoy so many different types
an enneagram nine; a peacemaker
cake | cheesecake- please have cheesecake
being a mother is my greatest joy
campfires
swans and sweet peas
sundays
a dream | to have a quaint cottage by water
naps and hammocks
my roots (my brother sent me this song recently and i adore it)
cinnamon rolls and strawberry biscuits and sourdough and banana pudding
i love all the seasons but autumn has my heart
quilts and playlists and taper candles and lamps
animal | cats (forever)
being cozy and rainy days and spending time at coffee houses
evenings and dresses and coral lipstick
colors | blush, cream, lavender, pale yellow, sage, mauve rose
vinyls spinning and watercolors
watermelon and peanut butter and spicy margaritas and red wine and craft beers
months | december, june, october then november, february, may
how i want my children to remember me
writing is how i process my thoughts
an old soul
making soup while a football game is on
i love to thrift + collect old pieces and mix with new
holiday | christmas eve
i really, really love our home and how piano music is usually playing
i want to believe that grace is more than enough
and often pray all day- feeling the holy spirit near me for as long as i can remember
taking life slow

our birthday tradition | having a family dance party to this song

moons and junes and ferris wheels
i look at life
from both sides now

salt and rose air from up and down
i really don’t know clouds
that way

“June is a moment of roses. It will follow May and precede July, no matter what occurs through man’s folly and intemperate impatience.

Do not hurry through June. She is one of the delights upon which you can rely. I love her when she is cold and tearful, and when she is warm and provocative. I forgive her for promising flowers and sometimes forgetting to look after them, once they have blossomed.

Give June your heart.”

Many Windows
seasons for the heart
| by faith baldwin