Blessings abound

Today is my birthday. This year, I’m away from family; staying in a hotel, and working. But rather than spend a moment feeling lonely or blue, I’ve been counting my blessings. All. Day. Long.

I woke up this morning and when I checked my messages, the very first message I read was from someone in Istanbul, Turkey, wishing me a happy birthday. Throughout the day I received literally dozens and dozens of wonderful wishes from friends and acquaintances from countries such as South Africa, Germany, Norway, Taiwan, Great Britain, the Czech Republic, and many, many more from folks around the US and Canada. I read each and every one and thought about each person who sent the good wishes. What a blessing!

My brothers reached out to me today; one with email wishes and one with a phone call who sang Happy Birthday to me. My boys each called from college and sang to me and also sent messages throughout the day. Blessings!

Today was the first day of judging quilts for QuiltWeek in Paducah, KY. I spent it with all the good folks who are like extended family from AQS. Our ties go back over a almost a decade and a half and when we get together, we enjoy each others’ company so much. It is so much more than just a business relationship. We catch up on our lives and families; we laugh and have fun. 

As a judge, I have the good fortune to see so many exquisite quilts up close and marvel at the creativity and vision of their makers. Seeing their beauty and thinking of the extraordinary quilters who created these works of art with their heart and hands is nothing short of a pure privilege. More blessings. 

My sweet husband, known by so many as “Mr. Kim,” surprised me which made this day even more wonderful. When I arrived at the judging venue this morning, there was the biggest, most beautiful bouquet of long stemmed pink roses waiting for me. I was shocked (in the best way possible, of course!) Then mid-morning, another delivery arrived in the judging room. A huge, beautifully decorated cake from one of the best bakeries in town arrived large enough to feed an army! Oh my goodness…..I just can’t begin to explain what this meant to me. We all enjoyed a piece of cake in the afternoon. It was truly yummy. I love that man of mine.

Yes, more and more blessings.

And finally, as I returned to my hotel room this evening, I was greeted with another bouquet of flowers and half a dozen mylar balloons — a complete shock! Yes, Mr. Kim wanted to surprise me one last time to let me know even though I’m not spending my birthday with him or our boys, they love me and are here with me in spirit. My heart simply overflows with blessings. Yes indeed…..this has been a most blessed birthday. 

 

26 Comments
  1. Happy Birthday Kimberly. You are loved by many around the world, but how very special that the men in your life helped to make your birthday so special, even from a far. You are very blessed.

    QuiltShopGal
    http://www.quiltshopgal.com

  2. Happiest of birthdays, you wonderful, kind, dear woman. You are such a sweet person and great teacher, and a true gift in everyone’s lives. Thank you for helping me find my way to a sewing machine at one of my darkest hours with your Craftsy classes and thank you for lighting the way.

    Turns out you’re not only my quilt idol, but our birthdays are close together as well. Mine is this Wednesday. Some day I will take a class with you in person and try not to squeal too much.

    Finest birthday wishes and love,

    Cate

    • My dear Cate — Thank YOU for taking the time to write and wish me a happy birthday! I want to send tons of love and birthday wishes right back to YOU, my friend! Thank you for letting me be a small part of your life. I feel like kindred spirits and hope to someday give you a great big hug when we meet in person!

  3. Hope you had a lovely day, Happy Birthday.????☘????

  4. Happiest of birthdays! You deserve a great day as you are such a blessing to all who meet you.

    Darlene

  5. Happy Happy Birthday. Enjoy your day.
    P.S. The cake looks delish.

  6. How exciting to spend a birthday full of surprises and doing what you love to do. Happy birthday!

  7. Happy Birthday, Kimberley. It sounds like your family love you lots and have let you know how much by their lovely phone calls and gifts.
    Kerrie

    • Thank you so much for commenting, Kerrie, and for your birthday wishes! I appreciate hearing from you very much!

  8. Happy Birthday Kimberly. While I have never had the please of meeting you, your posts are always so inspiration and full of love. Your work is amazing and I love all that you do. Keep on doing what you do best and then share it with all of us!

    Ann Rutledge

    • Ann, what a privilege it is for me to share bits of my life with you. Thank you for taking me into your heart and life. I truly hope our paths cross in the future; I’d love to get to know you!

  9. I am glad you had a Blessed and Happy Birthday. Please allow me to add my Belated Birthday Greetings to you, as well. I enjoy your Craftsy classes, I have all of your books. You have helped me so much to learn new techniques and you have helped me to have fun with my quilting and to enjoy every step of the process. Thank you, Kimberly, from this small town Missouri girl! I am blessed by you. So, you see, those blessings go both ways. Again, thank you and Happy Belated Birthday!

    • Hi Linda! Thank you so much for your kind comments! Oh my goodness, you have blessed me by YOUR words!!! Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

  10. Happy Birthday, Kimberly. You inspire me every day. Thank you for sharing your creativity with all of us.

    • Karen, thank you for telling me that I inspire you; I take it straight to my heart! What an honor. Thank you!

  11. Happy birthday Kimberly. I am so happy that your birthday was beyond your expectations. You are much loved and special to all who have met you. A very good day and a day that leaves you with very happy happy precious memories.

    • Martha, Thank you so much for your sweet words. Reading such a lovely compliment is truly the best gift of all. You just can’t know how much it means to me! Thank you, thank you……

  12. Happy Birthday!

  13. Hi Kimberley,

    Happy, Happy Birthday…..and what a lucky lady you are……
    I don’t think I’ve ever got flowers for my birthday, and I had a lot of BD”s……..
    And the cake, flowers and balloons, it looks so nice, so bright and the men in your life must love you very much and it shows!!!!!!

    Happy Birthday from me and I wish you many happy returns……

    Kind regards, Diane

    • Diane, you are so sweet! Thank you very much. I count my blessings every single day! And I’m blessed that someone as nice as you would take the time to leave a comment. Thanks again.

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