I have this old friend. With whom I communicate only rarely these days. We went to their wedding several years back but I don't know her husband. And we are both busy with work and family and life. So it goes. But every year, once a year for sure I think of her on April 22. Why? Because that is her birthday and because I have never known another person who took so much joy in celebrating that one day. She was excited about it for weeks in advance. She reminded everyone that her birthday was coming and when it came she was never disappointed. No matter what. She just took such great joy in a Spring day to celebrate her life. So every year I think of her with wonder, amazement and a little dose of joy. It is thrilling to me that memory. For a moment, each year, I am happy just for her, and that happy is contagious.
So contagious, that even though I dread getting older*, I will celebrate my birthdays whole hearted. No matter what they bring. I've experienced another beautiful year, I've learned hundreds of new things and I feel lucky to be alive. And even luckier to be healthy.
So today, I am celebrating with all abandon the parts of my life that make it so happy. My children. I will spend my day completely engaged with them. We will go to the toy store where I will buy my birthday gift for them. And we will play, inside and out. So today, even though there are a million things that I should be doing, I will do the things I want to do. The laundry can wait.
Later, when my children are ready for bed, the neighbour will come over to watch them while Steve and I head out for Thai food and time for just us. I am excited as my girlfriend was for the possibilities, no matter how they turn out. Celebrating these moments, these lives lived, that IS the meaning of life for me. That is why we are here.
*a little disclaimer: it's not really old that I dread but sick, and my life experience brings sick with old. So I dread but just a little and not for today!
6 comments:
Happy Bday, Shawna!!! Yes, birthdays should be celebrated HUGELY!!!
Shout it on the streets or at least from the balcony window!!!
Happy BDay!!!!!!!
Happy Birthday!!
I'm not really one to celebrate birthdays either, but the kiddo gets so into it, and DRAGS me into it that it does get catchy.
Hope it's fantastic!
Hey Shawna, yeah you! How great to be so up and positive about life in general but specifically a birthday. Having a summer birthday, I've always thought of it as a pretty personal thing, never much of one to tell others, throw big parties or expect much of anything. After all it was summer so everyone was always away anyways. Last year a student I was teaching had her birthday right around the same time as mine while we were in a summer course together. She was so excited, told everyone, organized a cake, went all out. As she was planning it all days in advance, I finally admitted that it was actually my birthday as well. At first I was nervous about saying anything, honestly not wanting the attention but in the end it turned out to be really fun. It was one of few times I'd ever been very public at all about my birthday outside of my close friends and family. So now finally I get it. So by all means go wild and celebrate! Have fun! Enjoy your dinner out! Have a wonderful birthday. You deserve the best.
Happy Birthday! I overheard my kids talking about birthdays the other day, saying that grownups don't have birthday parties, only kids. And it made me realize that we need to make a bigger deal out of all birthdays. Who doesn't need a little more celebration in life. That's what we ARE here for. Glad you had such a nice day. Thai food. Yum!
Thanks to you all for celebrating my birthday with me and for understanding the cause for celebration for all of us. We all deserve that little bit of joy!
Happy belated birthday, Shawna. Keep the celebrations going!
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