Sunday, September 7, 2014

It's my birthday and I'm feeling good.




Birds flying high you know how I feel
Sun in the sky you know how I feel
Breeze driftin' on by you know how I feel



It's a new dawn
It's a new day
It's a new life
For me
And I'm feeling good




Fish in the sea you know how I feel
River running free you know how I feel
Blossom on the tree you know how I feel




It's a new dawn
It's a new day
It's a new life
For me
And I'm feeling good





Dragonfly out in the sun you know what I mean, don't you know?
Butterflies all havin' fun you know what I mean
Sleep in peace when day is done
That's what I mean




And this old world is a new world
And a bold world
For me







Stars when you shine you know how I feel
Scent of the pine you know how I feel
Oh freedom is mine
And I know how I feel






It's a new dawn
It's a new day
It's a new life
For me. . . . 






And I'm feeling good.

~ Nina Simone



Picture me swaying from side to side and singing this--including the awesome scat at the end--and you'll know where I'm at today. I love how this song appreciates life and its little things. I've just been sitting here quietly at my kitchen table taking an inventory through images of what was an amazing age 43. Little things. And the little things really become the big things, don't they? 

Yeah.

Man. . . here's why I love this song: Because now more than ever, every single day that I wake up in my right mind, this old world is a new world for me. A day filled with promise and brand new mercies. And something about that just fills me with so much joy that it oozes out of me. 

It's my 44th birthday today, y'all. And you know what? I'm feeling GOOD.

***
Happy Sunday. And thanks for being a part of my new, bold world.

Now playing on my mental iPod. Thank you, Ms. Nina Simone for giving my feelings a voice today. 


And this, too, which plays on my mental iPod nearly every single day. Because turns out not where but who you're with that really matters. Thanks Mr. Matthews for this beautiful anthem that always lifts my heart into the heavens.




21 comments:

  1. Happy Birthday! In the words of the Great Creole Queen of Leotarded Sparkle, Beyonce Giselle-It's your world!

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    1. Yaaaaassssss, honty!! (In the words of Ru Paul and the children.) Ha!

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  2. Happy birthday you beautiful woman! So many wonderful pictures but I think my favorite is the one with you and the boys at the beach.

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    1. You know what? That is one of my favorite pictures of all time. It so captures how relaxed that day was and how we just let ourselves melt into that sunset.

      Thinking of Aunt Winnie today. I didn't forget--I am honored to have been born on her birthday. Love to you and your mother, too. I know she is thinking of her sister today. It's never a convenient time to say good bye to a sister. Hugs.

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  3. Happy Birthday! I'll keep the Bey quotes going: You're a GROOOOWN woman! Do whatever you want! Love you!

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    1. 'Cause I walk with a vengeance. . . .

      You know the rest. That Beyonce gives me LIFE, chile!

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  4. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! May God bless you with many many more. Enjoy your special day. You are AWESOME! :-)

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  5. Happy Birthday Dr. Manning! We love you!! :-)

    -L

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  6. I have been saying for a long, long time that a woman in her forties is a woman at the top of it all.
    You are so fabulous, my dear! You put your heart into all that you do. Your heart, your soul, your time, your muscles, your energy, your LOVE!
    And that's what I like about you.
    Happy birthday.
    Loving you...Mary

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    Replies
    1. Oh, Sister Moon. You told me through the comments that my forties would be wonderful. I was still in my thirties then (yes, we've "known" each other that long!) and was looking toward my big 4-0. I could not agree more and am enjoying every moment I can.

      Loving you right back. . .

      Kimberly

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  7. Have a great birthday week. 44 is a good number, may it be a wonderful year for you! x0 N2

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    1. Yes, ma'am. Deanna was 44 when she left me. I am so aware of that and will savor every single day of it. Can't wait to see what images and little things it shall bring!

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  8. Happy birthday! And what a wonderful song.

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    1. Doesn't her smokey voice just do something to you? I picture myself sauntering through a dark night club with an exaggerated switch in my hips and not a care in the world. I imagine a bunch of people wondering what the hell I'm doing and me not caring. This song sort of puts me in that state of mind. Ha. Thanks for the well wishes!

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  9. Happy, happy Birthday. You are a treasure, Dr. Manning. LN

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  10. I thought of you this morning, Dr. Kimberly; happy birthday to you, and my smart, brave, sweet boy who will hopefully grow up to make as much of an impact on the world as you do! (He's two today and I can't believe it!) lots of happiness to you this year!

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    1. Yes!!! I thought of that baby boy and how we waited on his arrival! I was so delighted when he arrived on September 7. Happiest of mommy-versaries to you, nurse 8 and many, many more. Hold him close, kiss the top of his head and smell his skin. Stroke his cheeks and listen to his laugh. Record it even. Then do it over and over and over again for as long as you both live. :)

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  11. Happy Birthday Doc...I was scouting the web for ideas on residency personal statement ideas when i bumped into your beautiful blog (glad i did) ..I am one of the thousands of indian physicians who come to the usa every year with big dreams of getting a residency spot and making their folks back home proud...

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"Tell me something good. . . tell me that you like it, yeah." ~ Chaka Khan

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