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Wild Lion*esses Pride from Jay's avatar

Summer—

Happy Birthday. I’m holding your 47 with deep respect. The way you carry it—with grace, grit, and clear-eyed presence—feels like a gift to all of us walking beside you.

Your story called something forward in me, something old and fierce and true. I’ve shapeshifted too—out of necessity more than choice, across borders that weren’t always visible, through roles that rarely fit, through loss, through survival. I know what it means to stand still like a tree, heart pounding, waiting for the moose—or the system—to pass. And I know what it takes to not dissociate when the air turns thick with fear.

Your coyote energy rings familiar. Trickster not for mischief, rather for adaptation. You remind me that resilience isn’t always loud—it can be clever, creative, rooted in stories and movement and remembering.

I’m with you in this shift. Not because it’s easy, rather because I trust the ones who stay awake through the storm. And today, especially, I celebrate you. Thank you for offering yourself so fully. Thank you for evolving in public. And thank you for reminding us that adaptation, too, is love.

With care from one shapeshifter to another,

Jay

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Summer Koester's avatar

Well damn, that's beautiful. Poetry. Chef's kiss. From one shapeshifter to another, thank you, Jay!!!!!

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Doreen Frances's avatar

I love that idea 'resilience isn't always loud'. It doesn't have to come with grand gestures. Thank you for that insight.

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Wild Lion*esses Pride from Jay's avatar

You are so very welcome Summer, I hope you had a splendid birthday despite the time we are all in a way living in and my grateful my words found resonance within your.

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Brien Nicolau's avatar

As always you make the world a better and stronger place. Happy Birthday Summer.

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Summer Koester's avatar

Thank you so much, as always, Brien! <3

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Annie Blackwell's avatar

Happy Birthday, and wishing you many more, happy ones to follow, Coyote. ...Move like the water, part for the rocks.

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Summer Koester's avatar

Ooh, I love that. (Also, my memoir-in-progress is tentatively titled FATHOM: A MEMOIR OF SHAPESHIFTING. Because I talk so much about being like water.)

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Camille Sheppard's avatar

Happy Birthday Summer!

"Change is the only constant in life", right? We change, evolve, shapeshift, adapt, and grow or we're dead (perhaps only figuratively, but still). I have a Gemini Sun and Moon. When I had my very first astrology reading, probably 25 years ago, the astrologer said, "So you came here to try and live 12 lifetimes in one". I put my head down on the table between us, suddenly exhausted. I felt so seen. I've rebooted my life more times than I can count at age 64, and while I'd very much like to have a respite and watch the grass grow, it doesn't appear that's likely this time around...

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Summer Koester's avatar

Hahaha wow! Okay I feel seen! And nope. You don't get to chill and stay. Not evolving means death. It is so exhausting though, right? Which explains why I keep pulling Nine of Wands every time I ask Tarot what my role is next.... grrrrrrrrrrrrr

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Camille Sheppard's avatar

Ha! I keep pulling reversed cards - almost every day! It’s like the Tarot is telling me that I still have “work” to do on every topic on every front every day, including today.

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trE L. Loadholt's avatar

Happy Birthday, lady! You share a birthday with a younger cousin of mine. Enjoy it and the rest of the week to the fullest! 🎊🥳🎉

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Summer Koester's avatar

Thanks so much, trE!

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trE L. Loadholt's avatar

You're quite welcome!

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Joanne's avatar

Happy Birthday, Summer! Thanks for continuing to share your journey with strength and grace.

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Summer Koester's avatar

Awww thank you so much, Joanne!

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Mike M. in the PNW's avatar

Happy Birthday Summer. Thanks for so generously sharing your journey as it encourages evolving and engaging in life. Plus, you're a great writer:-)

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Summer Koester's avatar

Awwwww so sweet, Mike! Thank youuuuuu

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Rosana Francescato's avatar

Happy birthday! Love The Feral Stack.

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Summer Koester's avatar

Awwww thank you, Rosana!!!!!

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Alycia Buenger's avatar

happy birthday!

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Summer Koester's avatar

Thanks so much, Alycia!!!!

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andyranaway's avatar

🦊

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Summer Koester's avatar

Yap yap! (I heard a forest of coyotes once in the Yukon and they sounded like yapping dogs, lol)

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andyranaway's avatar

Yap!yap!yap!… that's all we do on here anyway, right??lol

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Frank's avatar

I treasure your voice and your perspective Summer! Happy Birthday with many more returns!

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Summer Koester's avatar

Thank you so much, Frank! I treasure your support, and thank you for listening to my rants!

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Mesa Fama's avatar

Happy birthday to you wild feral trickster Coyote. I'm proud to know you <3 Thank you for all that you do and share. Big love to you today and every day. Xoxo

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Summer Koester's avatar

Big love right back, Mesa! Thank youuuuuuuu <3

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Callardo's avatar

Beautifully written. Thanks for sharing

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Summer Koester's avatar

Thanks so much, Callardo!

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Jeanine Kitchel's avatar

Happy Birthday, Summer! Love how your Stack has evolved, shape-shifted, grown. Here with you!!!

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Summer Koester's avatar

I'm sure you have had to shapeshift as well, Jeanine! Thank you!!!!!!

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Jeanine Kitchel's avatar

Si si si!!

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Shana Hormann's avatar

Happy birthday, Summer! Blessings to you.

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Summer Koester's avatar

Thank you so much, Shana!!!!

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John Skipp's avatar

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! From one shapeshifter to another!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-osHSysBuM

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