Friday, May 19, 2017

My Birthday is Not Just Another Day

Image result for photo of birthday cake with lots of candles



Two days ago I had a birthday and turned 58.
Thank you, thank you very much.

Some folks, when they get to a particular age or mind set, might say, "No big deal, it's just another day." I disagree. I believe birthdays should be recognized and celebrated. Some deserve BIG celebrations. I had one of those when I turned fifty, I still won't look at the video CD's made that night-apparently alcohol was served, and seventies rock music played. Maybe I'll peak at them when I turn ninety. Other mid-range birthdays, oh say like turning forty-three, will respond well to a dinner out, a bit of cake, a book of poems, or a big bundle of wildflowers.

But, I think all of them need to be appreciated in one way or another.  Think of the parental units. The majority of people on earth have had decent parents. Mine were. My mother struggled for the privilege of parenthood, miscarrying three times before I "stuck" as she would say. And although I cannot recall specifics, I believe they were thrilled when I was born on May 17, 1959. I did, after all, break their dry spell. Mom had five more youngsters after me.

Imagine how it might feel to them, if they were still alive, if I made this birthday announcement, "No big deal, just another day." A bit defeating towards their efforts, eh? If you are of a spiritual nature, this apathy towards one's birthday could be perceived as ungratefulness towards the Big Guy himself. I mean,come on, he does this miraculous thing, takes tiny microscopic DNA material and turns it into an entire human being and you're going to rain on that parade by announcing, "Birthday Smurfday, who cares?"

Even if your parents were of the wire hanger variety, or you are a card carrying member of  Eternal Skeptics of the Universe, imagine how those who care about you on an everyday basis: your spouse, your children, your self-involved boss, that snippy gal at the post office, would feel if you made one of your lethargic anti-birthday statements.

They would probably feel...sad. I know I do whenever I hear someone I love, express those thoughts.

I understand I am blessed. A husband, four children and their spouses, four grandkids, four siblings and a million gazillion Facebook followers, have made my birthdays feel anything but ordinary.  Yet, even if they were all gone and it was just me alone, I believe I would find some way, to be grateful to someone, about this amazing life I have been gifted with.

Two days ago I had a birthday and turned 58.
Thank you God. Thank you mom. Thank you dad.

26 comments:

  1. That was very sweet and very profound. HAPPIEST OF BIRTHDAYS (no matter the number!)

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  2. Replies
    1. You are welcome. I wrote it mostly as a reminder to myself...again...to appreciate all that I have been gifted.

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  3. I'm one of those people who don't like to make a big deal out of my birthday. It must have to do with being introverted. The spotlight is hard to be under. ;) My family has always understood, I am just the shy one and so we celebrate in smaller ways. :)

    Happy birthday though. I hope you had lots of cake and family around you. Time flies, doesn't it! Here's to many more birthdays ahead. It's great to feel blessed and give thanks for every day. :)

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    1. Small celebrations are equally important. And no spotlights are needed, just someone to say "Hey, I'm glad you're here another year."

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  4. Well happy birthday to you, Donna!! I hope a bundle of wildflowers, in the least, was involved. -Jenn

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    1. My whole farm is wildflowers right now-aka weeds in bloom-but yes I did get some in a bundled up fashion. I have a super cool family.

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  5. Happy birthday!!!
    How about the other days of the year? I think "Dear Abbey " said that "every day you're alive is a special occasion ". Perfect reason to have that ice cream or second glass of wine. No one wishes on their death bed that they enjoyed life less.

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    1. You are so right. I cared for hundreds of dying people in my years as a nurse and not one said, "Dammit, I should've organized my tax files better."

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  6. Oh dear, I'm afraid I'm not really a birthday person. Others around me like to celebrate my ageing process, but personally I wouldn't bother.

    However, I do annually celebrate the birthday (imagined) of someone I never knew or met; and that is Christ. I make quite a fuss of his big day, and shall continue to do so.

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    1. I suppose that is why family is such a good thing, to help us celebrate when if left to our own devices, we might just pass the day watching The Wizard of Oz over and over. Well, I know I would.

      I like doing up December 25th big time as well.

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  7. What a wonderful post with such beautiful wisdom !! I hadn't thought about it exactly like this but do not feel upset that another year has come. Happy Belated Birthday and Happy New Year because really your birthday is the First day of YOUR New Year!!! May it be full of blessings and joy ! take care from Iowa

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    1. I think the fact that my own folks died relatively young at ages 63 and 67, leads me to be more grateful for this life thing.

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  8. My sweet step daughter turned 14 on the same day. She has Down's syndrome and apparently, doctors tried numerous times to encourage her parents to abort. I am so grateful they didn't as she brings joy to every day! Happy belated to you as well!

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    1. I had an aunt with Down Syndrome and what a hoot she was! She was a huge part of our everyday life and we all miss her still. Please give your step daughter a hug from me.

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  9. When you consider the alternative how can you not feel blessed on a birthday? While I'm not thrilled with the aging process and still trying to figure out how and what happened to make that old lady appear every time I look in a mirror I'm always glad to celebrate a birthday!

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    1. I know! it's like I pass a mirror and go WTH? Is that me or Bloody Mary Worth?

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  10. Belated Happy Birthday. I hope you had a great day.

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  11. Belated very Happy🎂Birthday wishes to you, Donna, and as I tell everyone on this day...celebrate the while year, not justbthe day. I agree with your comments that a birthday should never be dismissed as just another day. Go ahead and enjoy all those well wishes. You deserve them!

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  12. I celebrated my 58th in February by getting out of the hospital after a terrible illness. I was so grateful that my son took care of me when I came home. He turned 37 in March and very sweetly thanked me for all that I went through to have him.

    Love,
    Janie

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    1. What a good son you have! I hope your recovery is going well.

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    2. I'm much better, but I still have a cough that won't give up. My doctor gave me an inhaler last week. Maybe it will help.

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  13. Thanks so much. I was lucky too as a child that my folks made birthdays fun. we had little money but my dad was an expert at making party hats out of the Chicago Tribune!

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  14. Happy belated Donna! I tried several times to convince my children that I should be getting the gifts on their birthdays since I was the one who did the work. Of course by that time I owed my Mother many years worth of (my) birthday gifts.
    I don't need big celebrations and expensive gifts but the birthday phone call from my dad and sisters and my kids and husband spending time with me and eating cake makes my day.

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  15. A belated Happy Birthday! I agree birthdays are to be recognized, and that it's not just about self. It's a good time to reflect on the good things in one's life.

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