27 Comments
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Adrian J Reimers's avatar

Facing 80 myself and wondering how that ever happened, I can sympathize somewhat. Fifty was when I was young. May God as much as he has blessed me.

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Dominika's avatar

Happy birthday, Emily! My four year old recently blurted out "I love you" to someone when he meant to say "thank you" (he was very emotionally overwhelmed) and I sort of feel like that every time I read your writing. It's a gift.

Also, I can't tell you how encouraging this is: "I did in my forties what I wanted (and expected) to be doing in my twenties."

And ouch, I needed this: “Envy can lead you to hell as quickly as any tarot card.”

Thank you for the beauty, sanity, and insight you bring to the Catholic online world.

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Lauren Joyce's avatar

Happy birthday, Emily! As a mid-thirties still-single lady myself, your words have always held a special grace for me. Thank you for sharing them with us!

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Cyndi Kane's avatar

You make me so proud to be a Catholic. The depth of these insights could only come from someone who sits at the feet of Wisdom, which is a credit to both you and your Church. May God bless you with many more years of wisdom ❤️!

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Ashley - Fiat Formation's avatar

Happy birthday! I don't know if this will help or make it harder, but technically you've already been 50 for a year. When you are born you are 0 and then turn 1 when you've been alive for a year. So you've already lived 50 years, but you just turned it. I hope that helps and doesn't make it worse!

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Amy's avatar

Happy Birthday! I’m so glad this came across my feed because there was so much of this I needed to hear. Thank you for sharing your wisdom.

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Deb Romano's avatar

Happy Birthday, Emily! I turned 76 recently, and every day is indeed a gift! May you have many more!

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Laura Kelly Fanucci's avatar

Happy birthday, Emily! I am so glad you decided to celebrate - and to let us all share in the celebration. May another half-century of wisdom begin today!

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Lauren Karl's avatar

Happy birthday, dear Emily! I’m right behind you in less than 2 months and am feeling the same shock and discomfort. But I agree, it’s all grace, and it’s all a gift. May you be blessed today and in this next decade and beyond.

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Carol Kiernan's avatar

I enjoy your articles. I’m 70 years old with a wonderful husband and three grown children. As you said, what we expects either doesn’t materialize or comes later.

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Elise Boratenski's avatar

What a stunning list, and so many “needed to hear moments. Thank you for sharing your wisdom. May God bless you abundantly this year!

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Debbie Patania's avatar

Happy fifty! Thank you for your gift of 50 words of wisdom! I will gift you a donation to your children’s Catholic Montessori 😊

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Ruth Wood's avatar

Happy birthday! It's my birthday today, too! Only I'm a bit older, 68! Eeeeee. So enjoy your 50's!

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Melanie Bettinelli's avatar

Happy birthday, Emily. I hope your 50th birthday is better than mine was this past summer. I had fever and body aches and pneumonia-- not the way I planned to celebrate the monumental anniversary. Many blessings of the day to you and blessings in the coming year as well.

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Kathleen Dippold's avatar

Happy birthday, Emily! Thankful for you!

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Helen Roy's avatar

Happy birthday! I was the 49th to like…so close….

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