September 29th was my 59th birthday. I’ve lived 59 full years on this earth and just began day one of year 60.

It feels strange because the person inside this wrinkled, aging body certainly doesn’t feel 60. But I do have so many memories: memories of love, memories of joy, memories of pain, memories of fear, and even memories of regret. I wouldn’t change any of them, though. They made me who I am today.

Still, I was looking through an old photo album the other day. There on one page was a picture of me smiling on my 17th birthday. As I looked at the boy with the chubby cheeks, thick glasses, and full head of wavy hair, I did wish I could go back and tell him a few things. I would tell him to hug his Mom every chance he can. I would tell him to spend more time fixing things around the house with his Dad. I would tell him to visit his Nana a lot more and enjoy every kiss she gave him. I would tell him that life goes by so fast in this world. You blink and 60 years have passed. Most of all I would tell him not to be afraid to Love. I would tell him that your true home is wherever you give and receive love, and that joy comes from love. And I would encourage him to share his love with everyone everywhere. Finally I would tell him that every single day he wakes up in the morning is another birthday, another gift from God, another chance to be his best self and live his best life.

Hold each one of your birthdays as precious then. Hold each one of your days here as precious. Feel God’s Love all around you and within you as well. And do your very best to share all the love you can in this life. Then you will live each day with joy and without regret. Then you will make the very most of this life on Earth as you prepare your soul for the even greater life to come.