There were the many cards and the emails, texts and phone calls, to wish me a happy birthday today. 70 is weird, because when I was young 70 was old, and I’m still the queen of rock and roll (at least in my mind.)
The people that you see every day know you best of all. And that would be my wonderful co-teachers. Together, we have lived through most everything and done it all, with laughter and sometimes tears. Honestly, the laughter makes us better teachers. It’s a great glue.
This is what I found on my front porch.
The two books are new to me. That in itself is huge for the giver. And, those books make the gift precious. I am excited to read them!
The Academy Award statue is priceless. “Award For Best Dramatics.” My co-teachers have seen me in action many, many times – from relating my boo-boos and fears, to finding that Gloria is suddenly on the floor in a heap, to telling a Jennie Story. I do react in the best of ways… 🙂
Thank you to my wonderful fellow teachers. Because of you, 70 years young feels pretty awesome.
Jennie
A Teacher's Reflections 
Aw Jennie! I hadn’t realised it was your 70TH!!!!! Even bigger happy birthday wishes to you 🎉🎉🎉
So great you got ‘new to you’ books, so you can add more dramatics to your huge repertoire!!!
My mum turns 70 next month 💕💕💕
How can I be the same age as your mum? 😂 Thanks, Ritu!
Ha ha! It’s funny, isn’t it? I think of you more as my teacher sister!
Huge congratulations, and a Happy Lockdown Birthday to you, Jennie!
(I’m not that far behind you. 🙂 )
My twin step-daughters were 31 on the 13th, and had a ‘socially-distanced’ birthday tea.
Best wishes, Pete.
Thanks so much, Pete. I’m fine with a lockdown birthday. 🙂
Happy Name Day!
Thank you!
Yo Jennie – Happy Birthday! I’m 70 too! (At least for another 15 days!) Both born in the same month!
Thanks, Opher. Enjoy your last two weeks of being a youngster. 😀
Wishing you an exceptional day, lockdown or not, have a fabulous happy day, you deserve it ,Take care, best wishes Brooke
Thank you! 🙂
Happy Birthday to one of the greatest teachers I know! I’m sorry you had to celebrate under these circumstances. Be well and be safe, Jennie!
Thank you so much, John! 🙂
happy, happy birthday, jennie. you’ve certainly earned it and there are many who know that. what a lovely surprise!
Many thanks, Beth! 😍
Wishing you a wonderful 70th birthday. I think every year we get older but we will always be as young as our minds. And you will always be as young as your little students. I wish you very happy birthday. Enjoy it to the fullest. Big hug. Bella
Thank you, Bella! 😍
Wishing you the best Happy Birthday ever!! 70 is the new 50 so you’re doing great!! Sending many hugs and much love all the way from Spain. Dot says, happy bow wow day! 💖🐶🎈🎉
Thank you, Darlene! Some days I’m 50, and other days I’m definitely 70. 😀. Give Dot a big pat for me.
Will do. 🧡
😍
Happy Birthday, Jennie! I know how you’re feeling about not feeling the number your age is. My 63rd birthday was Tuesday and I don’t feel 63 or anywhere close to it!
I think it’s neat that we share the same birthday month and week! I hope your day is filled with all sorts of wonderful, and this is your best year yet!
I definitely think it is neat that we share almost the same birthday. Many thanks, Deborah! Happy Birthday to you. 🎈
A healthy and happy and creative birthday, birthweek and birthmonth to you, Jennie!!! Even though we have never met in person, it is very easy to send you lots of love and respect — oh queen of rock and roll… and so much more! We are all so happy and grateful to have you here on planet earth, teaching and blogging and sharing what you have learned about life with the rest of us.
Will, that is so nice! Your words were just wonderful. Many, many thanks, my friend. You do know that I love opera and classical and show tunes as much as rock and roll. Music is the soul of life. 🙂
Happy Birthday Jennie ! 🍷🍦🎂
Thank you, Dan!
Happy Birthday, Jennie! Enjoy those new books!
Thank you, Jim. I will! 🙂
I heard 70 is the new 40! Keep a smile on your face with love in your heart and you will never be old! HAPPY BIRTHDAY dear friend.
Thanks so much, Pam. Great words from a dear friend. 🙂
Wow Jennie…70! You look so young 🙂
What an incredible milestone…Happy Birthday and God Bless 🙂
Happy and healthy birthday Jennie. You remain close in our hearts.
Sent from my iPad
Fran! It is so good to hear from you. Many thanks! 🙂
Happy 70th! I had to laugh at your comment about how 70 sounds OLD! I get it! I turned 70 on April 5, and still feel like 40! Best wishes for many many more health filled years!!
Happy belated birthday to you, Marcia. Some days I feel 80 and other days 30. 70 is just a number, isn’t it? Thank you!
Happy, happy birthday, Jennie! Wonderful gifts from your teacher friends! I hope that your coming year gets better and better:)
Many thanks, Becky!
“Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.” – Mark Twain. As another septuagenarian, it took me a little longer to embrace the concept of aging gracefully…something that you have accomplished beautifully. I spent a considerable amount of my 39th year thinking about the coming despised 40. What a waste of time and energy, as it naturally came anyway and in the grand scheme of things amounted to simply one more candle on my cake! You are young at heart and have generously shared with so many the years of a life that continues to be well lived. Happy Birthday! Thank-you!
Beautifully said, Ellen! I remember when I turned 64, and I had such fun singing the Beatles song, “When I’m 64” anytime someone asked my age. Mark Twain’s quote is brilliant, of course. Hang on when you turn 80. I’ll be right with you 🙂
Holy Moly, Jennie!!! I never would have guessed it. Maybe thought you might be getting closer to thinking about retirement; but working so hard at 70 just blows my mind. My next one if I get it will be 72 in Sept. Always grateful for another one so celebrate as big as you can in isolation. HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Jennie! Here’s to many more.
We’re two peas in a pod, Marlene. Thank goodness my teammates can celebrate all I do while understanding why I can’t remember anything. We laugh at how I’m the same age as their mothers. When we plan yoga, they kinda leave me out… 🙂 Hubby will be 72 in September! Many thank yous for the birthday wishes, Marlene. 😀
You’ve got a roomful of students here, too, Jennie.😊 The Aqua Room just has to share. I’ve only known you for a short time, but right away, I knew you were the kind of teacher any parent would love to have for their child. Your award is awesome, and it makes me like your coworkers. They are right—your expressive nature makes it fun to listen to you read.
Pete, you words are like giant sunbeams shining down on me. Thank you! My room full of ‘students’ on WP is a treasure. Like you, I knew right away we were bonded at the hip of teaching. And more importantly, our students and fellow teachers feel pretty cool about us. BTW, I wish you had been a fly on the wall when I showed our supervisor a Jennie drama moment while we were all on Zoom. I pretended Gloria had been dropped on the floor. Priceless moment!
I’m not really a Beach Boys fan…but this song just keeps roaring at me to send it on to you.
cuz, I’m convinced you’re having FUN-FUN-FUN with or without that ole T-bird!
hugs
I love that song! And now I’ll have it stuck in my head. Thank you, Laura! 🙂
Happy Birthday Jennie. That is an awesome award. What a special birthday wish for a special Birthday. 🎂🎈🎉
Thank you so much!
Happy Birthday Jennie… Those gifts are so thoughtful. You have a wonderful day.
Thank you, Deepa. Yes, they are. Best to you. 🙂
A beautiful way to celebrate, dear Jennie! ❤ ♫ HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU! ♫
Thank you so much, Bette! 😍
May your new year be filled with wonders! ❤ xo
Thank you, Bette! ❤️
Happy 70th you young chick you.
Haha! Thank you, John. 🙂
😊
Happy 70th!!!
Thank you, Alethea!
You’re welcome 🎂
Happy birthday, Jennie!! Hopefully, there will be cake involved?
Thank you, Liz. No cake (which is a good thing after months of being indoors), but amazing Italian take-out and wine! 😀
🙂
I am sure you are having a spectacular birthday even if it is no doubt quieter than you might have planned…Happy birthday and lots of love ♥
Many thanks, Sally! I’m good with quiet, but an hour of loud children or an hour of loud music would be wonderful. 🙂
Happy Birthday Jennie! I know what you mean. My mind is still the same but my body ain’t!
Exactly! And, thank you Wayne. 🙂
Happy 70th! You’re an inspiration to many! 💚
Thank you so much!
You’re welcome!
♫ Happy Birthday to you …
Happy Birthday to you …
Happy Birthday dear Jennie …
Happy 70th to YOU!!!! ♫
Happy belated birthday … sorry I’m a bit late to the party, but I’d have missed it altogether had not Ellen emailed me to give me a heads up! I hope you had a good day and that somebody baked you a lovely cake! Eat a piece for me!
Thank you, Jill!! 😍
70? Pah! That’s just early middle youth.. keep up the bonkers
You know I will! 😀
I am so sorry for the late revisit, Jennie! Excuse!!!! Happy Birthday to a famous person, and a very wonderful teacher too. You are making jokes. Plz correct the “7” to “5”,thats more believable.
You are the best, Michael! 😀
😀 Thank you Jennie. You too, indeed! 😀
You’re welcome! 🙂
🙂
Belated happy birthday to you!
Thank you, Marina!
A belated happy birthday – and I hope you are still celebrating. Festivities for special birthdays are supposed to continue throughout the year:)).
Thank you, Sarah!
I’m pleased you were spoiled on your birthday, Jennie. You deserve it. Many happy returns.
Thank you, Norah! 🙂
Aww. Happy Birthday, Jennie. I love how people are finding creative ways to celebrate and distance. It’s wonderful. I hope you had a marvelous day! ❤
Thank you, Diana! People are very creative when it comes to birthdays. 🙂
Happy Belated Birthday my friend!🤗💐🥂
Thank you, Kim! 🙂
Happy Birthday. My husband turned 70 a week ago and I turned 73 yesterday. I often think of the Judy Collins song, “Who Knows Where the Time Goes?”
Thanks so much, Elizabeth. I know exactly what you, mean. Wasn’t Judy Collins great?
I think I own all of her albums.
Wonderful! Do you still have your record player?
No but I bought a replacement one to play my grandfathers’s and my 78 and my college 33 1/3 albums.
Yes!!
Happy Happy Bitrthday!!
Thank you, Michele! 🙂
Happy belated birthday, Jennie! I am so sorry I missed it.
Thank you, and no worries! It’s a birthday that I hope just sneaks by. 🙂
Happy belated birthday Jennie! And wow, what a beautiful gift of recognition. I told you that you were a star. And now you have the award to prove it! Congrats! ❤
Thanks so much, Debby. ❤️ And, please know that I enjoy reading your posts. Your website won’t allow me to ‘like’ a post.
Wow, thanks for telling me Jennie, and I’m sorry the WP gremlins are giving you grief. 😦 ❤
They have been this way for at least a month. ☹️
😦
JOYEUX ANNIVERSAIRE JENNIE!
As my great-aunt always said, she didn’t feel the years as she was too busy making the most of them and she did for a hundred and one years. She stayed as sharp as can be and I don’t care what game you were engaged in with her, you didn’t stand a chance. A card shark, chess take your pick. At a hundred, she decided she didn’t need to drive anymore as people could come to her or pick her up. I rode with her a few times just before then and she was an excellent driver. An all-around amazing person, much like you.
I see I have several months on you so welcome to the club. 🤣 📚 ❤
Thank you, Lea! Oh, I wish I had met and known your great-aunt. My grandmother was much like her. We are lucky to have such wonderful relatives in our lives. Did you have a chance to ask her about her life? I wish I had asked my grandmother much more than I did.
I’m glad to be part of your club! 70 years young. 😀
Jennie, I do hope your day was most excellent. My great-aunt was on the paternal side and due to my “mother”, I never knew about her or my dad’s family until 2005. I always hoped and believed that perhaps on my father’s paternal side there might be someone. After more than a decade of research, I found that my great-aunt was still alive plus her six children and their families and residing in the mid-west. I made several trips to see her and we were in frequent phone contact, she didn’t have a computer. It seems she knew quite a bit about me but only up to a very early stage.
You would have delighted in Irene and she in you. She was a warrior raising six children all on her own during the depression. Her laughing, blue, Swedish eyes were a dead give away when she was only pretending to be angry… 🙂
How wonderful, Lea! I wish everyone had an Irene or a Rose (my grandmother) in their life. Thank goodness you did the research to find her. I love her story. These warrior and loving women are role models. Of course we know that. 🙂
Mais oui mon amie! 🙂
💜
🙂
What a wonderful birthday celebration, Jennie. I can’t believe you are 70. You have so much energy and “get up and go.”
Thank you, Robbie!
My all-time favorite teacher (professor) will be 90 years young this coming Wednesday. He is still teaching.
Really? How wonderful!
This is where he teaches and you can see him in the photo. It goes to show you are never too old to learn and that older people have so much to give: https://www.csus.edu/college/social-sciences-interdisciplinary-studies/renaissance-society/meet-us/
Thank you, Lea!!
😊
Happy birthday to a lovely lady!
Aww… thank you!
Happy Happy 70th Birthday (but very late) !!!! I hope that you have everything you want in this year 🙂 Many congratulations!
Thank you, Mliae!
😀