Dear Sis,

Thank you for your birthday messages 🙂  We are both so fortunate to have JP, whom ensures that your wishes are sent my way.   I know how important it has always been for you to stay connected.   I love that he makes this happen.   THANK YOU JP !!!

Karen, I had such a wonderful birthday.    I left early in the morning to meet Claire, the friend whom I last blogged about.   She and I walked to a place called “Peek A Boo”, an indoor play area,  to meet some of the children from the orphanage.    This is another offsite activity that is organized by she and her husband Richard.

En route we stopped at a coffee shop.  Claire presented me with two bracelet’s,  that outline the map of Bali.  One I am wearing at the moment and the other is to be placed on the MSA Shoe.    So very kind and thoughtful.  What a beautiful way to start my day.

We then worked our way to the playground area, where I got to be a kid.    I was on the swing,  going down the slides and doing cartwheels on the gymnastic mat. NOT feeling like 50 at all 🙂    But then again any age is really a state of mind.

At 11:30am, I jumped on the bus with the kids, and off we went to the orphanage.   When I arrived, it warmed my heart how one child after another ran up and hugged me, wishing me a Happy Birthday.   These children are so kind hearted, it is truly remarkable.

The day was celebrated with 94 kids.  Out of the 94  were 17 who had birthdays in January and February.  We, the volunteers, coordinated the party with gifts (each child had something to open),  cakes and decorations.

I have respected the wishes of the Orphanage not to post pics of the children on Social Media, however I have to share the video below of the kids and crew singing Happy Birthday.  I will forever cherish this video and the card I received from the children.

After the celebration at the Orphanage, I left with 3 volunteers whom I have worked with over the last two weeks.   Jana and Michelle are interns from Belgium.  Kate,  is from Australia.  I absolutely adore these girls and so very grateful that I have been able to share this journey with them.

The 4 of us went to a place called “Potato Head”.  A beautiful atmosphere, with an infinity pool, ocean, amazing food and a gorgeous sunset.    Since I have arrived I have been very focused on working.  It felt good to get out, spend time with these amazing ladies and meet some new people.

I knew that I wanted to do something on my birthday evening.  For me, it was simply about sharing the celebration with people I care about and enjoy being around.

When I first asked the ladies if they wanted to come to this beautiful location to celebrate, they instantly said “Yes”.  They did not hesitate for a second.  BUT what I do know is that two of them are here for 5 months, as students.    Also,  Kate took a leave from her job in Australia, and is in Bali for 3 months.  I know for a fact that these ladies are on a tight budget.

Many people live their life, with an attitude, “Alway look out for yourself.  Because really in the end that is all you have.”  I do agree that one has to take care of themselves, not worry about what others think and to live the life you choose.”  But I truly love the gift of sharing.  It is so personally rewarding.

The last thing I wanted was for these young girls to feel any “stress” about spending money for my birthday.  I insisted that if they were to join me, that I would take care of the drinks and food.  Of course their reaction was,”That is the most ridiculous thing ever.   You are not paying on your birthday!!”

I explained to them that for me it is not about the money.   It is about sharing the experience.  I realize how fortunate I was, in my early 20’s and 30’s, to be in the hotel industry.  I stayed in the best hotels, ate the best food, drank the best wine.  I recognize, that because of my career, that this was an advantage that I had, that most do not.    So for me to share this experience with these young ladies in their 20’s, who truly appreciated every minute, was honestly a gift that I gave to myself.

Yesterday was my last day at the Orphanage.  The two weeks went by so quickly.  I am still in Bali for another 7 nights.  My plan was to leave today, work my way to the Gili Islands, where  there are beautiful white sand beaches.  However as of last week I have a new plan 🙂

Last weekend, I made the decision, to stay closer to “town”.   I am not ready to say my final goodbye.   I do know that a few friends will come my way for a visit, and I will go back to the Orphanage next week,  for a day,  to see the children.

Yesterday morning when I got on the back of the scooter, I realized this was my last ride to the Orphanage.   As we drove away,  I took in everything along the way.  I looked at every sign, every person next to me, what that person was carrying on the scooter (family members, livestock, fruit ect)  what the locals were selling in each shop.    Their is no method to the madness of their driving.   Even though over the last couple of weeks I saw several accidents, I was never nervous.  I simply took in all my surroundings and enjoyed the adventure.

In an hour I will be working my way to Changgu.  A resort village on the South Coast 0f Bali.    I will discover some good restaurants, meet some interesting people, walk the beach and simply relax.

Karen, as I continue down this path of life, I am not going to focus on my age.  As you know, both mom and dad passed away in their 50’s.  Not only do I think of them but I think of you at the age of 52.    Life is very unfair and different for you.

So today, I will simply consider myself extremely fortunate, to be healthy and alive.  I know that you would never want me to loose sight of this.

There are seasons and cycles in everything that lives.   So I will continue to thrive, evolve and embrace life as it unfolds.   One can’t stop the inevitable process of aging.  Then and next are not alligned with now, so my plan is to do my very best to always live in the moment.

I love you sis,

Kathy xo