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Birthdays have always been a point of reflection for me. A chance to examine where I’ve been and where I’m going.
Last year, on my actual birthday, I jumped off a metaphorical cliff and started a journey to an entirely new life. On my last day of 38, I can reflect on the sometimes hard-to-believe changes that have happened in the last year; the strength in myself and trust in others I’ve found; the amazing things that can happen when you abandon fear and crack open your heart to being authentically yourself.
More so, though, I find myself looking to the future. There are always challenges and unknowns in life. But the gift that 38 has given me is the confidence in myself and my tribe to know that we can handle them.
That the path forward may not be totally visible, but that traversing it with authenticity will get me where I’m going. That hope and joy and sorrow and loss will all come and go in their time and I will be here for all of it.
39 promises to come in a little less dramatically than 38 (it IS 2020, so you never know), but with a steadiness and faith born of the last 365 days that will carry me through the next.
About Jen
Jen is the voice behind Authentically CLE. Formerly of Why CLE, Authentically CLE is a project to share the stories and faces of Cleveland's businesses. Because the people make the city.
Featured Posts
Legacy Village has found some great ways to pivot in the pandemic, including the addition of DORA, which stands for Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area. From 11:30am-9pm, visitors 21 and over can purchase drinks from Bar Louie, Melting Pot, Wild Mango, or California Pizza Kitchen and stroll around Legacy Village with the beverages in designated plastic cups. The DORA is clearly marked and you can enjoy your drinks outside or at certain retailers (look for the DORA sticker on the door.) Last week, we explored DORA (get it?) and enjoyed tasty drinks from Wild Mango while window shopping at some of...
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There’s nothing better these days then getting the things you need delivered to your door and no delivery makes me happier than a wine delivery! I recently got a chance to try a selection of wines from Wein Imports Limited. While Wein Imports distributes German and Italian wines, they are a locally-owned small business around since 2016, which makes them exactly the type of business I like to support. Wein Imports was created by U.S. Air Force Reserve C-130 crew members who discovered a passion for discovering new wines during their travels and sending them back home. These are the...
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In the ongoing series of re-exploring Cleveland places, we ended up at one of Jeffrey’s favorite spots this weekend: the Great Lakes Science Center. Jeffrey attended one of their Camp Curiosity camps this summer and I was impressed with their ability to keep the kids socially distanced and safe (including requiring masks well before the mandate.) We got to check out the new Body Worlds RX exhibit (open through January 3, 2021.) It’s an inside look at the human body that was a bit over Jeffrey’s head, but still fascinating. It was great to see the Science Center still doing...
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Jeffrey starts first grade today! Where on earth did the time go? This year, the beginning of the school year looks and feels different for all of us. Matthew and I decided to send Jeffrey for in-person learning after seeing his school’s plan for re-entry. But even though I am confident in the school’s plan and in Jeffrey’s ability to comply with the new rules and regulations, there is apprehension. Will Jeffrey stay healthy? What will the experience be like, with limited out-of-classroom activities? How long will in-person learning even last? For some people, the school year is starting with...
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