43 Comments
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Joshua Bond's avatar

As someone who was born in '56, I had a strange extra affinity with your post. I find the Picasso quote a bit too painfully true but enjoyed more the Henry Miller quote, 40s was good, a nice age. The last two lines of your poem definitely capture the way to live, to age gracefully. Many thanks and all the best, Josh.

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Jamie Millard's avatar

Thank you so much Josh. You certainly lead by example. Thank you for being you! That Picasso quote stimulated the poetry and Henry Miller is always fun to read. Jack of time here I AM. Bless you. 🙏❤️

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jeanne's avatar

happy birthday wishes are necessary but great post for anyone ofany age. also loved the last post about wanderers are not lost...my favorite lines.many more years of poetry is my wish for you.

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Jamie Millard's avatar

Thanks so much Jeanne! Sending big hugs out there. Looking forward to seeing those beautiful cards this year. 🙏❤️

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Perry J. Greenbaum 🇨🇦 🦜's avatar

"Mystery never bows to mastery."

Love that line: it keeps me going. 56 Birthday wishes, Jamie. You have only just begun.

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Jamie Millard's avatar

Thanks Perry! Was serenaded quite early this morning! The song that keeps coming up on Cornell is a Cedar Waxwing! That’s a new one for me here but then again, I just got this app. Thank you so much for reading and reaching out. 🙏❤️

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Sadhbh Adamea's avatar

What a beautiful article and incredible poem! We are never too old to start something new. The wrinkles tell stories and carry wisdom, they are radiating Love and life. I enjoy growing older. 💕

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Jamie Millard's avatar

Thanks Sadhbh. I always liked how Rilke used the term unfolding. Those wrinkles are gifts of gratitude. Definitely a source of ripples. Bless you 🙏❤️

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Julie Dee's avatar

Some great ponderings and I love the poem. I’m all about enjoying the scenery. Smelling the roses….🥰

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Jamie Millard's avatar

Thanks Julie! Those sacred moments certainly stop time now. Those damn roses are so beautiful . Thank you so much for reading and for reaching out. 🙏❤️

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Jacqueline Rendell's avatar

I love this....thank you for your gentle, open heart-ed poetic presence, a delicious blend of wonder and humour, as you embrace the wild mystery that continually astounds and thrills those like you who are paying attention. 💜

If/when you ever want to have a talk and be my guest on my podcast, I would be thrilled and honoured. Have a wonderful birthday and Sunday! 💫

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Jamie Millard's avatar

Wow. Thank you so much Jacqueline. If you’re up for a sixth decade poet growing younger on your podcast I can sing to that. As long as I can use some Canadian vernacular lol. As always thanks for the support and bless you. 🙏❤️

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Jacqueline Rendell's avatar

Canadian vernacular is a must!! hahahaha!! 💗

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Deborah T. Hewitt's avatar

Our heart knows the way.

Dawn is sacred.

Gratitude is medicine.

Breathing is believing.

I am curiously unfolding

and every day is a brand new story.

© Jamie Millard

Cheers to 56

and all of this..

To you Jamie 🍻🥳✨👊🏻

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Jamie Millard's avatar

Thanks Deb! Big gratitude indeed. Thanks for your support! Bless you 🙏❤️

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Muriel M's avatar

This is a birthday gift to us all. Beautiful. Your best yet! So well penned. Deeply resonant and wise beyond your years. 🥂

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Jamie Millard's avatar

Thanks Muriel! “Wise beyond your years”, brings a smile to my face! I thought I was late to the game lol. You’re too kind! Thank you so much for your support. Bless you a beautiful Ontario summer in that wonderful garden in the wilderness. Bless you🙏❤️

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Phoebe Freer's avatar

Great post. Love the Miller and Picasso quotes - starting to feel young at 40 or 60... It's the rediscovered sense of wonder I think. Also love the idea of praying in the church of wonder.

Oh, and Happy Birthday, Jamie. 🥳

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Jamie Millard's avatar

Thanks Phoebe! My guess is it’s easier to tap into presence as the wrinkles bring their wisdom. Thank you so much for reading and for reaching out. Bless you 🙏❤️

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Luminița Milea's avatar

Happy birthday, may cuoreosity always lead your way, the slower, the richer. thank you for sharing all the treasures you’re finding along 🪶🌿🌞

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Jamie Millard's avatar

Thanks so much Luminita! Thanks for your kind words ❤️

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Jenn's avatar

Wonderful, Jamie. Happy Birthday, happy journey. I love what you said about letting go of resentment and other burdens so you can swim freely. Thank you for sharing these beautiful words ❤️

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Jamie Millard's avatar

As always Jenn thanks for seeing the spaces between the words 🙏❤️

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Jenn's avatar

❤️

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Jo Sundberg's avatar

Happy Birthday Jamie! 🌟 What a way to celebrate. Wandering and writing. Your poem says it all and is my experience also.

What date is your bday? I also had a bday on the weekend on the 15th. I turned 52 and wrote about that on another place I post.

"Our heart knows the way.

Dawn is sacred.

Gratitude is medicine.

Breathing is believing." 💖

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Jamie Millard's avatar

Thanks Jo! Bless these frenzied 50s! Keep wandering into wonder up that mountain at dawn. 🙏❤️

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Geraldine A. V. Hughes's avatar

Sundays in the air and I’m sitting with a perfectly crafted cappuccino under the Aspen tree loving the atmospherics of your piece Monsieur Jamie, wearing your stories of heroic adventures eloquently, and dining on your words, thanks!

You made it, boom. Welcome, I remember 56, fifteen years ago, I was on fire and two handfuls, but now I’ve had to learn to,

turn into the, slide!

Happy birthday Jamie, have a merry day and an adventuresome year, may cosmic bliss come upon you and tickle you on your belly!

Peace love and poetry, Geraldine

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Jamie Millard's avatar

You Geraldine are a poet! I hope 12 cylinders drove you to that spot under that Aspen tree. I’ll keep burning in this fire, tickle belly, and a big smile. Sip that cappuccino slowly. Thank you for making me smile. 🙏❤️

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Geraldine A. V. Hughes's avatar

Boom

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Veronika Bond's avatar

Happy Birthday, Jamie, 💐

fellow Gemini ♊

fellow member of the deer clan (medicine wheel) 🦌

fellow member of the oak tree clan (celtic astrology) 🌳

Gratitude is medicine, cheers to that 🥂.

And every day a brand new story 🦋

Many blessings for another cycle on the journey of cuoreosity 🕯️

towards inner wisdom and elderhood 💗

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Jamie Millard's avatar

Thanks Veronika! Bless you and I look forward to learning more noctarine this autumn. Enjoy that garden in Paradise. Thanks for your support. 🙏❤️

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Mo Issa's avatar

Thanks, Jamie! You’ve captured my sentiment to living! Happy birthday and though I’m a few months behind you in age, it seems I’m a few years behind you in soul! Beautiful poem.

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Jamie Millard's avatar

Thanks Mo. Glad to be a fellow traveler on this journey with you. 🙏❤️

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Terra Brooke's avatar

Happy Birthday! I resonate with so much of this and my back has been sore lately. We have the same feeling about retirement and driving golf carts! I love that you climbed a mountain and took your time. It becomes about the journey and not the destination so much doesn’t it? I climbed Crough Patrick a few years ago. I am reminded of that. I was younger than you then and one year older than you now. Somehow that feels like two bookends and a birthday hug. Thank you for a lovely piece. I am glad you ignore the part that wants to question value. That is a practice for us all I imagine. I wonder where that voice comes from… I have never thought about it much before and now I am cureous.

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Jamie Millard's avatar

Thanks Terra. Am staying cuoreous and living into the questions. Poetic inquiry helps to set that voice free. Thanks for being here and sharing your amazing journey. Here’s to more mountains. Bless you 🙏❤️

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