It is not even noon and this is the best birthday I can remember.

My coworkers took me out for lunch Friday, my girlfriends took me out Friday night, my best friend hung out with me Saturday night, my sisters drove an hour to kidnap me for breakfast twice – and my family woke me up with a candle in an Atkins bar.

I feel sparkly inside. Fizzy. And not just from the mimosa.

I think I am different this year on the inside. Happier. More aware of my blessings. More hopeful. More appreciate.

More happy to be here and more content with my place in this world.

Gratitude makes all the difference and I feel it changing me. I am grateful.