Instead of Celebrating My Birthday, I'm Celebrating THEM | The Power of GOLDEN Friendships
Today, as I mark another trip around the sun, my heart is overflowing not with thoughts of myself, but with profound gratitude for each of you—my precious Golden friends. As I sit here with Charlie curled at my feet, oxygen flowing, I find myself reflecting on this extraordinary journey we've shared.
This past year has tested me in ways I never imagined. COVID pneumonia ravaged my lungs, already compromised by COPD. A stroke threatened to dim my light and steal my independence. The sterile walls of the ICU became too familiar—the rhythmic beeping of machines, the whispered conversations of medical staff, the constant uncertainty whether each day would bring improvement or decline. Long COVID continues its unwelcome stay—bringing hair loss that falls like autumn leaves, fatigue that weighs on my spirit like a heavy blanket, and stress rashes that bloom unbidden on my skin, visible reminders of the internal battles my body still fights.
This is the Lifesaving device I was using to keep me alive in ICU. Like out of a space movie. lol
My ICU Room for 2-1/2 weeks — I had a 6’ cord on the lifesaving machine so I could not move around other than the bed. This is the day I was being discharged. I wasn’t able to move or walk until the day I was discharged. Finally had a chair to sit in too. Yeah.
💰But through it all, you were there. My Golden angels.
When I needed to sit in The MUD Room and let my tears flow freely, you sat with me in silence, bearing witness to my pain without trying to fix what couldn't be fixed. You understood that sometimes, healing begins in the quiet spaces between words. You let me unburden my fears—that I might not recover, that my work with our community might end, that the prognosis doctors had given me two years ago might finally come true. You listened without judgment, your presence saying what words could not: "I am here, and I will stay here, no matter how muddy it gets."
You sent unexpected gifts that arrived on my darkest days—not just packages wrapped in paper, but gifts of your time, your wisdom, your stories. Each message, each call reminded me that I wasn't facing this journey alone. Some of you shared your own health struggles, showing me that vulnerability is not weakness but courage in its purest form. Others made me laugh until my oxygen levels dipped (worth it!), proving that joy can coexist with pain. You showed up—not just physically, but emotionally, spiritually—present in all the ways that truly matter.
Your stories of resilience lifted me when I couldn't stand on my own. Through our Golden Voices meetups, even when I could barely participate, I drew strength from your experiences, your triumphs over your own adversities. Your laughter echoed through my home when joy felt like a distant memory. You reminded me that even in my weakened state, I still mattered—not for what I could do or create or give, but simply for who I am.
When the digital art I love to create seemed beyond my grasp, you encouraged me to start small—just one image, just five minutes at a time. When I worried about The Golden Life Community's future, you stepped forward, ensuring our mission continued even when I couldn't lead. You embodied everything I've always believed about the power of mature women supporting one another. You proved that my philosophy wasn't just pretty words—that positive thinking coupled with genuine connection truly can work miracles.
So today, instead of celebrating another year of my life, I celebrate the beautiful tapestry of friendship you've woven around me. Each of you represents a golden thread of strength, compassion, and love that has held me together when I might otherwise have unraveled. From those who have been with me since Tark passed, to those who joined our circle more recently, you have all become essential to my healing and to my heart.
The true gift of this challenging year has been discovering the depth and beauty of our Golden connections. At 79, I'm still learning what friendship truly means, and you have been my most profound teachers. You've shown me that age brings not just wisdom, but the precious ability to be authentic, vulnerable, and present for one another. Together, we've redefined what it means to grow older—not as a time of isolation and decline, but as an opportunity for deeper, more meaningful connections.
As I continue to recover and regain my strength, I carry each of you with me. Your kindness has become part of my healing, your wisdom part of my resilience, your love part of my very breath. The oxygen flowing through my tubes keeps me alive, but it's your friendship that gives me reason to live.
My birthday wish is simple: that each of you feels as treasured, as supported, and as loved as you have made me feel. May we continue to sit in silence when words fail, to share stories that heal, and to remind each other that we matter—always. May our Golden Connections continue to shine brightly, illuminating not just our own paths, but lighting the way for other women seeking community in their golden years.
With a heart full of gratitude, love, and renewed purpose,
Thank You For Being Part of My Life For This Past Year.
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