Missouri, I hear you calling me . . .

I'm back in the midwest for the next week. My family is having a reunion, the first since we lost my Grandmother a few years ago. I'll also be celebrating my Dad's birthday.

I hope to be able to pop in but my internet access is likely to be spotty. If my posts are sparse that's why.

Hope you're enjoying your summer. Is anyone else doing some traveling? Seeing some family?

Safe travels all!

Happy Birthday to Me

Today is my birthday. I celebrate the day with all the bells and whistles I can muster. The day before my birthday in 2007, I wrapped a car around a light pole. In 2009, I was recovering from cancer surgery. I love birthdays. They beat the heck out of the alternative.

But birthdays are also a time to reflect and check my bearings. Am I happy in my relationships? If not, what can I do to improve them? Am I doing what I want to do professionally? If not, what steps can I take to change matters?

This year, the answer to both questions is yes. Life is good and I'm grateful.

When my kids were younger, I was very happy with our family, but I used to fret, realizing how very fragile life is. Our joy might be shattered in a moment by an accident, an illness, just plain bad luck. I wasted time worrying about what might be.

Now I focus on what is. God will take care of tomorrow.

I share my birthday with a number of notable folk: Paris Hilton, Michael Jordan, Denise Richards and Renee Russo, to name a few! Do you know anyone with a February birthday (doesn't have to be today)?

PS. It may be my birthday, but I want to give you a chance to win a $100 gift card! Visit www.emilybryan.com to enter today!