Rufus Gifford

My birthday morning.

Every morning in the summer as the sun wakes up and begins to warm and dry the grass and sand, I walk to the beach with Svend and Odin.

They frantically watch for ducks and geese (as Svend is doing over my shoulder here) as I try to find a few minutes of peace and calm in a world that perpetually screams at us.

And birthdays for me aren’t about celebration anymore but about reflection. And for all the frustration and sadness that has permeated my soul in the last two years - in large part due to what I have chosen to do with my life - on mornings like this I just feel so grateful for my 52 trips around the sun.

My family.
My friends near and far.
Kind words from strangers I have never met.
My boys, Svend and Odin
And most of all my beloved Stephen.

Thank you all for the love and support you all send my way (special shout out to those in 🇩🇰 and 🇬🇱)

I don’t know that I’ll make it to 104 but I kind of hope so because I don’t want to be half way done yet.

We’ve got way too much to do. ❤️🎂