Birthday Thoughts
Today is my birthday. The past few days I've been feeling sad and like a birthday these days is less exciting than as a kid or young adult. The magic and wonder of what could happen on your birthday or what surprise might happen or what friend might remember you is kind of over. I just wanted my kids not to fight or cry today and if they had cleaned their rooms up I might have considered it a birthday miracle! But why set yourself up for disappointment just because it is the day you were born? These expectations that everyone is going to be nice to you and make you feel loved and special can easily lead to disappointment so I was having a hard time getting excited about today.
The day, however, started off that I woke up when my body wanted to, which was 8:40 a.m. Woot woot! I love that! Then a note was slid under my door saying that I could sleep for 20 more minutes (which meant my kids were up to something!). I took a shower and then went to get my kids, who covered me with hugs and kisses and super cute birthday cards. Then my son decided to make pancakes and my daughter made some in the shape of a 3 and an 8 for me. Such sweet, thoughtful kids. Their rooms are still a mess but they took time to do things they thought would make me feel loved and happy and that is a special gift. Later when my husband asked them their favorite things about me I got a "she's strict but that's because it is best for us" and "she always says she sorry after she yells at us" which aren't the worst answers in the world but made me grateful that we started the day off with pancakes and cute cards.
Then we went to an art place nearby with some close friends and the kids played and we talked and it was a beautiful day. I have wonderful friends who support me in my challenges, watch my kids for me when I need their help, listen to me when I need to talk, are silly with me when I want to play, and who help me feel like a good, useful, likable person. I feel honored that they took time today to celebrate me and our friendship today. I've also been getting texts and emails from friends I haven't seen in years but who still remember me and wanted to wish me a happy birthday. It is really heart-warming to be remembered and thought of and I'm grateful for each one.
As I sit here and ponder the 38 years of my life I'm celebrating today, the grumpiness or sadness has melted away in recognition of my blessings. I should be celebrating today, not because I am anything special but because my life is so good. First and foremost I'm grateful to my mother and father, but especially my mother, for being willing to have another baby after their fifth baby girl never made it home from the hospital. It was so brave of them both to have faith and be willing to have another baby after that experience and I'm thankful to be daughter number six.
I am thankful to live in a peaceful country, I can worship as I will, I can choose to live my life how I want to, I was raised by good and loving parents who taught me all of the important things in life, I'm educated and was able to develop talents as a kid, I have a happy marriage to my best friend and amazing, healthy, capable kids. I'm doing exactly what I wanted to do with my life and so few people throughout history have ever been able to say that. Even if I weren't, there is always hope in a brand new day as each day is an opportunity to start over, make changes and work towards a better version of myself.
Sometimes I wonder what the big deal is about birthdays. Why do we make such a fuss about the day we were born? I suppose now I can appreciate a bit more that it isn't for the magic or gifts or fun surprises but because we recognize as a society that life is an amazing gift and it is good to honor, love and celebrate each other. I think that is especially true of our family and close friends. I think it is important to let others know how much the life they lead blesses ours and how much we appreciate it; not that we need to wait for a birthday to do so but it is a good opportunity. So thank you to each of you for making this a special day for me and helping me to realize that I am loved and appreciated. It makes getting up tomorrow and living another day of life that much sweeter and worthwhile.
The day, however, started off that I woke up when my body wanted to, which was 8:40 a.m. Woot woot! I love that! Then a note was slid under my door saying that I could sleep for 20 more minutes (which meant my kids were up to something!). I took a shower and then went to get my kids, who covered me with hugs and kisses and super cute birthday cards. Then my son decided to make pancakes and my daughter made some in the shape of a 3 and an 8 for me. Such sweet, thoughtful kids. Their rooms are still a mess but they took time to do things they thought would make me feel loved and happy and that is a special gift. Later when my husband asked them their favorite things about me I got a "she's strict but that's because it is best for us" and "she always says she sorry after she yells at us" which aren't the worst answers in the world but made me grateful that we started the day off with pancakes and cute cards.
Then we went to an art place nearby with some close friends and the kids played and we talked and it was a beautiful day. I have wonderful friends who support me in my challenges, watch my kids for me when I need their help, listen to me when I need to talk, are silly with me when I want to play, and who help me feel like a good, useful, likable person. I feel honored that they took time today to celebrate me and our friendship today. I've also been getting texts and emails from friends I haven't seen in years but who still remember me and wanted to wish me a happy birthday. It is really heart-warming to be remembered and thought of and I'm grateful for each one.
As I sit here and ponder the 38 years of my life I'm celebrating today, the grumpiness or sadness has melted away in recognition of my blessings. I should be celebrating today, not because I am anything special but because my life is so good. First and foremost I'm grateful to my mother and father, but especially my mother, for being willing to have another baby after their fifth baby girl never made it home from the hospital. It was so brave of them both to have faith and be willing to have another baby after that experience and I'm thankful to be daughter number six.
I am thankful to live in a peaceful country, I can worship as I will, I can choose to live my life how I want to, I was raised by good and loving parents who taught me all of the important things in life, I'm educated and was able to develop talents as a kid, I have a happy marriage to my best friend and amazing, healthy, capable kids. I'm doing exactly what I wanted to do with my life and so few people throughout history have ever been able to say that. Even if I weren't, there is always hope in a brand new day as each day is an opportunity to start over, make changes and work towards a better version of myself.
Sometimes I wonder what the big deal is about birthdays. Why do we make such a fuss about the day we were born? I suppose now I can appreciate a bit more that it isn't for the magic or gifts or fun surprises but because we recognize as a society that life is an amazing gift and it is good to honor, love and celebrate each other. I think that is especially true of our family and close friends. I think it is important to let others know how much the life they lead blesses ours and how much we appreciate it; not that we need to wait for a birthday to do so but it is a good opportunity. So thank you to each of you for making this a special day for me and helping me to realize that I am loved and appreciated. It makes getting up tomorrow and living another day of life that much sweeter and worthwhile.
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ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday! So glad your day was filled with special moments that reminded you of all the blessings you have in this life. I’m so glad to have you in my life! <3
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