Hau`oli la Hanau Shellbelle


SSSHHHHH! It's a surprise party.... a mermaid birthday surprise party!  I'm linking up with Mermaid Loui from Mountain Mermaid to celebrate a milestone birthday for fellow mermaid blogger of all things coastal & beachy - Rhonda of Shellbelle's Tiki Hut. Wishing Shellbelle warm sandy hugs on her birthday.  60 is really 40 with 20 years experience.



Karen & Rhonda (aka Shellbelle) on Sanibel 2010


If I would've been born 500 years ago I would have been perfectly fine being a hermit out in the boonies somewhere or a monk if it was an order that took a vow of silence.  I am perfectly happy all by myself.  I can go hours, even days just reading, walking the beach, or whatever introspection I can get myself into.  Then I remember....Oh crap, I have a husband that requires a relationship.  My family - mother, nieces, nephews, sisters, brothers, & in-laws, out-laws all need a word or two from me from time to time. I try to be a good girlfriend but it really is an effort for me. 


 Girlfriends want my time - phone calls, hanging out, doing stuff.  I can count the number of close girlfriends I have on one hand.  For me, it's quality not quantity. Over the years I have had lots of friends that stayed in my life for just a season. It was not  meant to be a life-long thing.  Kids, divorce, relocation, or some other life happening just caused whatever bonded us as friends in the first place to simply fizzle out.  Then there are the special ones like Rhonda that no matter what is happening in our lives our friendship transcends it and carries on.  We can go six months without spending any significant time together and we just pick up right where we left off without missing a beat. 


 Before Rhonda I only had friends who were just like me - the same politics, same spirituality, same world view. I never had a friend who was the total polar opposite...she doesn't eat like me, camp like me, shop like me or vote like me. (whispering) She's a Democrat. We have been friends for almost 20 years now and I am a better person for knowing her.  She has given me the gift of widening my horizons and learning to love people outside of my little box. One of  Rhonda's favorite authors is  Maya Angelou - so I'll let Maya share her insights & wisdom about being a woman of a certain age.


This could be the year you find that Junonia




Maya Angelou said  this:


'I've learned that no matter what  happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on,  and it will be better tomorrow.'

'I've  learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the  way he/she handles these three things: a rainy day,  lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree  lights.'

'I've learned that regardless of  your relationship with your parents, you'll miss them  when they're gone from your  life.'

'I've  learned that making a 'living' is not the same thing  as making a life.'

'I've learned that  life sometimes gives you a second  chance.'

'I've learned that you shouldn't  go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands;  you need to be able to throw some things  back...'

'I've learned that whenever I  decide something with an open heart, I usually make  the right decision.'

'I've learned that  even when I have pains, I don't have to be  one.'

'I've learned that every day you  should reach out and touch someone. People love a warm  hug, or just a friendly pat on the  back....'

'I've learned that I still have  a lot to learn..'

'I've learned that  people will forget what you said, people will forget  what you did, but people will never forget how you  made them feel.' 




Shellbelle on Blind Pass - Sanibel 2010


Happy 60th Birthday My Friend!
As they say in the tropics:  "May your coconuts always hang higher than your grass skirt."



Comments

  1. AWESOME!!!!!!
    you are the first to actually name the honoree!
    send me an email with your address..
    and you'll receive a delightful beachy surprise from me!!
    warmest sandy hugs..
    Loui♥

    ReplyDelete
  2. What a nice birthday tribute to Shellbelle! I hope it's her happiest birthday ever!

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  3. What a beautiful post. Such a nice little birthday tribute.

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  4. Hi - I love your post - your sincere and honest and caring thoughts about such a dear friend and friendship - I think many of us can relate!

    You are both blessed to have each other as buddies!

    (I did a post for Shellbelle, too via Loui's Mermaid Party link up - but, shhhh!)

    Best Wishes and Lots of Joy!
    Linda
    beachside cottage

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  5. Karen: I loved your post today. You so often say the exact thing I think or feel -especially about how you can be perfectly happy alone. I often feel the same way. Happy Birthday to Shellbelle - I've only recently gotten to know her, but she is a keeper!

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  6. Oh, Rhonda is going to LOVE THIS, Karen! She'll have a GREAT birthday, thanks to you and her many sea sisters...I'm a new friend of Rhonda's, we've chatted face to face for just one hour but, I already know she's one of my favorite people on the face of this earth and I'm so looking forward to our times together in the future. I'm also looking forward to meeting you, Karen...I can tell by your blog that you are well worth knowing!
    Hugs,
    Becky

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  7. Karen, a big happy birthday to your friend. Once again you have weaved your words of wisdom and truths into a beautiful form of literature, also know as your blog. Thank you.

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  8. Okay Karen, I don't know how you expect me to respond to this with the tears rolling and blurring my vision. Your heartfelt sentiments have touched me tremendously, I don't know what I would have done all these years if you had not been such an important part of my life. You've been there for me in good times and bad and lifted my spirits on far more occasions than I can remember. I love ya girl and I know that you know that is a Shellbelle truism!!!!!


    XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO

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  9. What fun! I would love to be standing right in the middle of you two beautiful ladies...soaking up some of the fun vibes! We could all have a great time on the beach! And this is a special day for all of us...it's party time! ♥♥♥

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  10. Thank you so much for taking the trouble to let me know that it is Rhonda's birthday. This is such a beautiful post for a beautiful lady. I think you are wonderful for doing this. I hope you are well.

    Mila

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  11. It's always a beautiful thing to see how strong the friendship of girlfriends can be. You are very fortunate to share your life with Shellbelle in such a special way. What a happy birthday gift to her! I could not live without my girlfriends and my husband has known this from day one so he doesn't mind dealing with it..... thank goodness. Miss you Karen!

    ReplyDelete

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