I send gifts to my SIL, brother, niece and nephew. I love giving people gifts that they want or that I buy with them in mind.

And it’s not that I didn’t get anything. Lord knows I probably don’t need more “stuff.” It’s the idea that when you get a gift it was something that was picked for you. That someone thought about you. And not receiving anything is a lonely feeling.

Which leads me back to grief. I know that the loneliness I feel at my birthday or Christmas is a manifestation of me missing my Dad and missing our traditions.

I don’t know. Part of me feels like being sad over gifts is the height of pettiness, but those feelings are there. Maybe if I put them out there in the universe in a safe place it’ll help?

Today in class I was at my small group table and I needed to plug my computer in. I leaned over to plug in my computer and my chair tipped over and dumped me out on the floor. I landed in a fairly upright position with my chair on my back. My injuries are minor, but I’ve learned one thing—Getting older means pains and bumps and bruises happen more frequently.

My students sweetly rushed to my side to help. But now I’ve got a big bruise on the top of my foot, a bruise on my back and a sore wrist.

Got this from a parent today. It’s a shame you can’t reach through the computer and punch people in the face.

And second of all, I’M 6 YEARS OLDER THAN HIM.