Food Fashion and Flow: Happy Birthday to Me!   

Wednesday, July 1, 2015

Happy Birthday to Me!

Birthdays...

We love cake, ice cream and presents don't we?

When you get older and wiser you realize that each birthday is a special gift from God. I remember when I was younger I couldn't wait for each milestone birthday. At the age of 12 I couldn't wait to be 13 and then 16 and then 21 and then somewhere after 25 I stopped counting.

I think its funny that I am getting closer to being able to order from the senior citizens menu, but that is a blessing too. Wrinkles and laugh lines are blessings even though society says we should be ashamed of them. A wrinkle and laugh lines say that you have lived long and well and that is something to be celebrated.

Now I reflect more on my birthdays because I don't know when it will be my last one and I want my life to mean something. Even though a lot of us like to make life about us, I find my deepest joy comes from making someone else's life a little better. I am usually in the shadows doing things for others that no one knows about because I don't crave the spotlight. Most of the time, I run from it.

I go through a lot, but one of the lessons I have learned is that my life does not have to be perfect to be a  blessing to someone else and my trials and tribulations do not define me.
 I have been through hell and high water and I am still here.
I am still standing STRONG

Forgiveness has been the hardest lesson for me to learn because the people that were the closest to me, the ones who were supposed to love me have inflicted the greatest pain upon me and that includes family, as well as friends. They have lied on me, talked about me behind my back, made me the subject of vicious gossip and laughed at my challenges. How do you reconcile in your mind a person that would rather believe a lie about you than the truth?  Or a person that gets close to you just to try and hurt you? How do you love someone who treats you like that?

You can't.

Unless God helps you. The hardest lesson in my life has been loving people that are unlovely. Those are the ones I am on my knees praying for at night. 

And now with the wisdom you only get from experience, I love them from a distance because everyone does not deserve a seat in the front row of your life. If their hearts are wrong, they have automatically disqualified themselves.

Joy and happiness are my constant companions

I take the time to stop and smell the roses and have the kiss of the ocean on my face. The beach has always been my happy place

My steps are ordered by God
Strength and Honor are her clothing and 
she shall rejoice in time to come - Proverbs 31:25

Photography: Stacey Gutierrez
Dear Past: Thank you for the lessons

Dear Future: I'm ready!

17 comments:

JJ said...

Happy Birthday dear! Rocking the shoes!!
Dora
www.BangsBang.com

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday to you! Love your shoes and those balloons!

I'm so happy to read your post because I've been/ I am in the same boat. Loving family from a distance is tough, but sometimes necessary for self-preservation.

http://inez-mysmallworld.blogspot.com

Unknown said...

Happy Birthday Lady!!! I pray God blesses you to see many more wonderful years!!!



Carsedra of:
http://www.embracingtherealme.com/

Frannie Pantz said...

A very happy birthday and a lovely positive outlook m'dear! These photos are gorgeous and fun. Love your dress and your heels! You look just gorgeous--no matter what age!

The Heba said...

Indeed happy birthday to you!!

Heba xx || http://www.californiaroadtrippin.blogspot.com

Emmylou said...

Happy birthday, LV:) Wishing much love and happiness everyday! And you look so fab in this outfit:)

Carly said...

Happy Birthday! You look gorgeous in that outfit and the heels are amazing.
I stopped counting around 25 too....
Dresses & Denim

Covenant Grace said...

Happy Birthday. May God bless you with many, many more!

Beauty said...

Happy Birthday LV. This is such a beautiful post. You are right about God being the greatest source of our strength. Family and friends would always disappoint and only God's love remains constant.
You look adorable; lovely pictures too.

Unknown said...

Such a beautiful post. I love the pictures and your shoes!

XO, Natalia from www.darlingtrend.com

Esmeralda said...

HaPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! Beautiful pics. Love the shoes!!
Kiss

Don't Call Me Fashion Blogger
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The Bandwagon Chic said...

Happy Birthday dear.
You look amazing.

The Bandwagon Chic | Instagram | Bloglovin

We Are Not Martha said...

I hope you had a great birthday- this is a fabulous post. You look beautiful!!

Sues

Glenda said...

Happy Birthday, LV!

Unknown said...

Happy Birthday, i'm sure you had a fabulous day and you certainly loooked that way. Cheers to many more wonderful birthdays.

Tracy Brown said...

This was an absolutely beautiful and astonishing post Lavonya. I have had some of the same issues you have experienced and instead of it making me bitter it has made me better. I refuse to let bad experiences in life define who I will be and become.....
And just like you, I celebrate birthdays now with great joy and excitement because I am in my right mine, I am alive and I am happy.
......and I am thankful!

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