Level 54: Grateful, Grounded, and Growing
- ekferraco
- 1 minute ago
- 3 min read
June 1 is around the corner, and with it comes the start of a new chapter—Level 54.
Yes, I call it a level. Not an age. Because it is an accomplishment. Every year, every day, is something I’ve earned, lived through, grown into. And honestly? The older I get, the more I relish my birthday. Not just for the cake or the candles, but for the chance to pause, breathe, and say: I’m still here.
A decade ago, that wasn’t a certainty. Ten years ago, I faced cancer. And when you hear a doctor say they’re not sure what your future holds, it changes everything. Suddenly, time is no longer a given. It’s a gift. And here I am, ten years later—healthy, strong, and deeply, deeply grateful.
That experience didn’t just shape me. It woke me up. These days, I try to take nothing for granted—not my body, not my freedom, not even quiet mornings with a good cup of coffee. I feel privileged to have reached this level with my health, my joy, and my sense of purpose intact.
So as I step into Level 54, I do it with a full heart and open eyes. I’ve learned to honor the journey, the scars, the milestones, and the moments of unexpected joy. Birthdays aren’t something I hide from—they’re something I celebrate.
The Pineapple and the Christmas Tree
One of my favorite birthday memories dates back to when I was just three years old. My parents asked what I wanted for my birthday, and without hesitation, I said: “A pineapple and a Christmas tree.”
They actually got them for me. And there’s a photo I absolutely love—little me, beaming, holding that pineapple and standing next to the tree. You can even see “1974” printed along the edge of the photo, that classic time-stamp from the old analog cameras. It's quaint, it's timeless, and it brings me right back to an era before digital everything—when memories lived in shoeboxes and albums, not clouds. (You'll see the photo below.)
That image captures something I’ve come to realize is still very true about me today: a love of simple joys, a bit of whimsy, and a deep appreciation for the small things that feel magical.
It’s a snapshot of innocence and simplicity, but also the essence of who I am—unchanged by the years, the challenges, or the trials. Honestly, I’d still be overjoyed to receive a pineapple (or any fruit!) and a Christmas tree (or any plant!) for my birthday. Hint, hint. (Just kidding. I’m not asking for gifts—just enjoying the countless ones I already have.)
On Aging Gracefully
To me, aging gracefully is about so much more than wrinkles, gray hair, or flexibility. It’s not about defying age—it’s about embracing it.
I’ve come to believe we all get to choose how we show up in the world. I can choose to look “fixed,” or I can choose to look like me—older, yes, but also wiser, softer, stronger, and frankly, happier.
Grace, in aging, is about acceptance. It’s about honoring the story written into your face, your body, your energy. It’s about choosing what feels authentic—not what meets a standard.
There’s freedom in letting go of the pressure to stay frozen in time. I’m not chasing youth; I’m embracing truth. And I’ve never felt more myself.
So here’s to Level 54—with all its clarity, courage, and earned joy. I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
How I’m Celebrating: A View from the Top
This Sunday, I’ll be celebrating with a trip up to the top of Pikes Peak. There’s something about standing on a mountaintop that resets my soul.
Every time I’m up there, surrounded by sky and silence, I feel so small—but not in a bad way. Small in the sense that I’m part of something vast and extraordinary. It puts everything in perspective. The worries, the noise, the striving—it all quiets down up there.
It’s humbling. It’s beautiful. It’s reflective. And it feels like exactly the right place to welcome a new year of life.
I can’t think of a better way to begin this next level than with that kind of awe and clarity.
