Day of Birth

I had a birthday yesterday.  Thank you, yes, thank you.  I made it another year.  Certainly survival is something to be proud of.

I’m one of those people who enjoy’s a birthday.  I think it fun and exciting to celebrate a moment in time when I slid into this life.  Not of any true effort on my part – that was all mom’s doing (as my mother used to like to remind me – that my birthday was actually a day to celebrate HER since she was the one who did all the work.)  Mother’s do know best.

Some folks aren’t too keen on a birthday celebration.  Some just don’t like all the hoopla of cake and candles, the singing of the always memorable Happy Birthday song.  It could be  the passage of time they don’t appreciate or the feeling of being the center of attention.  Or maybe it was a sad birthday memory where that pony they wished for never materialized.  (I, for one, never wished for a pony.  I was a tad more practical – requesting a bike or new pair of sneakers.  And hay costs a fortune.)

I’ve had some amazing birthdays over the years.  Some where I traveled, some where I’ve been surprised by friends.  And other times, my birthday has been rather uneventful – a simple slice of pizza and a card.  Like yesterday – nothing to write home about except that I did manage to get a simple lunch and bought a new vacuum cleaner (it was on the eventual ‘to do’ list).  And yes, I did put it together and gave it a test run.  A clean carpet and on one’s birthday is nothing to sneeze at.  I know – it’s not very sexy – but it’s fine.  I was happy to be alive and that’s what the day was really all about.

Birth.  The true miracle of a birthday is that it happens at all.  That somehow everything lined up and brought you here – to experience all that it means to be human.  I’m still awed by it.  I feel like a kid.  Like a five-year-old, clapping her hands, engulfed in the moment.  How very lucky we all are….even if we don’t get that pony.

When it’s your day this calendar year – savor it.  Eat cake for breakfast if you wish.  Buy yourself a present if you can.  Wake up and be reminded that we are grateful to have you here.  Happy Birthday Everybody! – BB