After using my blog only as a photo journal for years, my birthday felt like a good time for a chance. As I strive to better understand my actions and emotions as a professional, partner, and parent, moving forward I’d like to use this link to share thoughts with my visitors. 

Like two days ago on my birthday, I was reminded, You get back what you put out to the world. My brother passed away in December and this was the first year I didn’t hear from him on my birthday. My brother ALWAYS called me on my birthday and always sent very thoughtful or funny greeting cards. Because I knew I wasn't going to hear from him, I was a Grumpy Gretchen right out of the gates. Not surprisingly, I was met with roadblocks and frustration throughout my entire day.

In general I'm able to put positive energy out no matter the hick-ups in my day. But on Wednesday understandably, that wasn't the case. The biggest shift for me though, is that now I'm able to have a bad day without taking it out on my loved ones. We were all able to get a good laugh out of it. That's progress for me. Now, if I miss a meal, that's a different story. No brother on my birthday: Grumpy, but pleasant. Miss the afternoon snack: Children, run for cover!

And who am I kidding? We never celebrate my birthday for only one day—I play the 'Birthday Card' for as long as humanly possible. Luckily Thursday was much brighter. I got to spend another day over at Hopkins School in New Haven taking photos of some amazing students and it turned out to be a wonderful rainy day.

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