Birthday Blessings - But What about Steemfest?

Last year at this time I was in Lisboa, Portugal,
still reeling in the high of Steemfest 2.

The year before in the beginning of November
I was  experiencing Amsterdam for my first time during Steemfest 1.

The past two years a trip to Steemfest has been my birthday present.
And what glorious gifts those trips have been.
Gifts that keep on giving.

I thought I wouldn't miss another Steemfest after my first two experiences there.
The connections and moments shared together were really priceless on many levels.

I'm feeling a bit nostalgic today as I lie here in bed writing this post--
In my bed in Texas, not in Krakow.
(I feel certain that if I was in Krakow, I would not be lying in bed,
but squeezing every juicy moment out of being together with my fellow Steemians.)

Somehow, this year was just not in the cards for me to go to Steemest3 in Krakow.
We are selling the land known as the @gardenofeden,
which deserves lots of focused attention instead.

Last year I spent my birthday with this lovely @sirwinchester crew.
I couldn't have planned for a more touching evening,
and this one just happened so spontaneously in flow.  
These are some exceptionally beautiful people on the inside and out.
I'm grateful their crystal gift and the hugs received then, which are
are filling my heart now, for my birthday this year even though we are not together.

Both Steemfests for me were remarkable.
Not only did I get to meet so many of my on-line friends,

but I also got to travel to new lands with some of my favorite people in the world.

We stayed to visit the countryside, considering a new location for the @gardenofeden.

We took every little snippet of opportunity to indulge the local culture for over a month.

We ate fresh, pampered each other, reminisced of our Steemfest experience,

We took our sweet time to wake up and smell the roses.

Since @quinneaker, @saramiller, Lucca and I don't have "jobs",
we get to experience our lives in inspired moment-to-moment creation.

We were blessed with no return ticket, but all the time of our own
to enjoy life unfolding in divine perfection.

This year too is divine perfection,
even while not being at Steemfest.
Much personal growth, clarity and forward motion is happening.

My birthday this year was as good as ever--
quiet, simple and in meditation.
Quite the contrast from the last two years,
but I am grateful for another day to be alive!