While most birthdays feel special in some way or another, my 40th feels significant.

Each human is connected by a “trail of time.” A constant traveling that allows us to honor the past and encourages us to keep moving, walking towards dreams inspired by long-ago. 

When we walk with each other, show up and fall in step, we stand on the shoulders of angels, transforming into God’s messengers, adding holiness to a fractured world.

Miraculously, just like the sun after blinding rain, we also hold the gift to replenish and seeds to restore. 

This is your moment to grasp. Don’t miss a single second.

May our children learn to catch someone when they fall. And may they learn from us, noticing our extended reach.

The more we habituate words of self-affirmation, the more we might start believing them.

Our tradition teaches us that a child grows not out of fear. Rather, a child grows through a foundation of love. 

So, the masks come off. Let a welcoming smile take its place. A blooming, beautiful smile ready to be seen…waiting to be received.

A single day has 24 hours. 60 minutes within each hour. We cannot escape the day or night but do hold the privilege of rearranging our priorities.