I had a wonderful birthday, maybe the best ever. I had no expectations, no disappointments, no stress, just fun. It really made a wonderful difference when I took my focus off myself and tried to put it on others.
All day, I looked for little ways to be extra kind to others. One of my favorites was handing out popsicles to the kids and mamas hanging out at the park.

This man was there with his grandkids.

I told him, “It’s my birthday. Want a popsicle?” I was surprised to learn that it was his birthday too. I got all the kids to come over and sing Happy Birthday to him.

Later, back at home, I baked a big old Texas sheet cake. Newt and I went around delivering huge slices to elderly neighbors and a friend who recently lost her husband. It was a blast to share my day with so many others.

Thank you to everyone who also did kind acts in my honor today. You all are amazing! Those were truly the best gifts. I tweeted them all with the hashtag #heidisbday. (Click link to read them all. And even though my day is over, please feel free to add more. I’m greedy that way.)
And of course my family took good care of me today too. Newt made me the sweetest card about how a mother’s love holds the family together. Walt sent me a bunch of sweet texts from work, then took us all out for my favorite sushi tonight. And they both spent the day looking for ways to show extra kindness to others. I love those guys.
What is that old saying? Happiness shared is happiness doubled?
I think I had more than a double helping.

And I didn’t even get a stomachache.
Here’s to many happy returns of the day!