{Nate had just sneezed – bless his heart – his allergies are in full swing}

Dear 39,

Please remember to give Brian the camera more. Pictures like this make me happy.

Please remember to be gentle with the morning people in your family. Maybe you will become a morning person again. Maybe not. Either way, just smile and don’t be so grumpy in the morning.

Please relax. Everything will fall into place. It always does. Being so anxious doesn’t help.

Please remember to say no. It’s ok. You don’t have to do everything.

Please remember to say yes. Sometimes a new adventure is just what you need.

Keep gardening. You are really enjoying that.

Keep singing. It’s OK that you never did become Amy Grant’s backup singer.

Keep cooking. It makes you smile when Brian has a delicious dinner to come home to.

Keep smiling. It’s OK if people say that you are naive and have your head in the clouds.

And finally, keep loving Jesus. He has carried us through so much. Keep leaning and trusting and listening.

You are gonna have a great year!

Love,

Kate