I’m one of the rare people who admit to loving their birthday.

I don’t need to do anything special to glory in what I call “my day.”

This is the first year I didn’t enjoy every minute of my birthday.

It started off beautifully as I used my morning gratitude walk to say thank you for life, for all my many blessings. I was on a high as I enumerated all the blessings I enjoy. At one point I was literally dancing with joy. Try doing that and see if it doesn’t make you feel sky high.

My daughter Maria flew in to be with me for my birthday, so that made the day even better. We went to church together but she sat in the back while I headed for the front like I always do.

During the Mass my vision started fading and I sure l was going to pass out. I don’t think I’ve ever felt that badly. I suddenly had the chills, yet I was sweating like I was in a sauna and my vision was going dark.

Something was wrong. Very wrong. I was at the point where I was thinking this might be my last birthday.

Thankfully, Maria was there to drive me to the emergency room. I don’t know what would have happened if she were not there.

We have a very good emergency department that quickly swung into action with heart tests and blood work.

The diagnosis was something I can’t pronounce. All I know at this point is that I was told this all could happen again, complete with passing out.

The doctor said they have to find the cause.

That means more specialized tests have to be done before they know. Now I have to wait test analysis.

It was absolutely the worst birthday.

But all that changed when I found a tightly wrapped package waiting for me at my house. I wasn’t expecting anything, and didn’t have a clue what it could be.

When I got all the wrappings off I found a big version of Gumby, the stretchy cartoon character that was so popular decades ago.

The delightful Gumby figurine was sent to me by Bethlehem reader Nancy Porambo. Her note was as heartwarming as the surprise gift.

She said she was prompted to send me Gumby because of a column I wrote called Imitating Gumby.

Like Gumby, we all have to stretch ourselves to accommodate new roles and situations.

I mentioned in the column that when a situation is challenging and I’m getting close to breaking I have to imitate Gumby. I remind myself I may bend but I won’t break.

I pointed out that we all go through many changes in life.

We go from lovingly rocking our babies to parents having to learn to let go as our kids leave home.

Different ages and different stages keep requiring resiliency. We need the adaptability of Gumby as we learn to cope with all the challenges of life.

And yes, we often may bend under the weight of it all. But like Gumby, we will bend but won’t break.

We use our faith and fortitude to rebound.

And sometimes the change of attitude that we need comes from someone like Nancy.

It was her thoughtfulness in sending me Gumby that made me remember I don’t need to feel sorry for myself because Life is good.

It’s been my experience that our caring God will often send someone to remind us of the goodness in our world.

Nancy told me when she read my column about Gumby she knew she could use it to encourage others.

She said she has what she calls a small mail ministry where she sends notes of love, encouragement and sometimes little things to others.

Her joyful package to me did wonders to change how low I was feeling on my birthday. It restored my optimism I had let slip away, buried in worry.

Isn’t it amazing that I wrote the Gumby column a short while ago yet I needed Nancy’s important reminder: Like Gumby, I have it in me to bend but not to break.

An old song told us little things mean a lot. Small acts of thoughtfulness and kindness can go a long way to uplifting attitudes.

I recently got to know a family that has as a goal doing nice things for people.

When I needed a kayak carrier taken off my car right before the car was being picked up for transportation to my grandson, I expected to pay premium price for the rush job.

The guy who answered my call for help came right away. When I tried to pay him he said no, it was his good deed of the day.

He said he believes sometimes doing good is better than chasing after the almighty buck.

Yes, there are good people who make this a better world.

I am always delighted when I get to know them.

What I learned on my birthday was that Gumby is still cute and people are still good hearted.

Good people, good deeds, good days.

Yes, Life is good.

Email Pattie Mihalik at newsgirl@comcast.net