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Thursday
Oct162008
XXXIX
G and Lauren left at their usual 6 this morning, their hushed morning sounds punctuated with the front door shutting behind them. I snoozed in bed and woke a few minutes later to the soft clinking sounds of dishes and silverware. Blurry eyed, I wrapped and tied my robe around me as I came downstairs and walked into the kitchen to investigate. Maddy girl was padding back and forth, emptying the clean dishes from the dishwasher.
Spying me, she lit up. And sent me back to bed. I climb under my covers, warmed by the thought of a 12-year-old girl rising in the cold morning and remembering what I hadn't yet: it is my birthday.
* * *
Mom birthdays are weird. You kind of want the special birthday treatment of your childhood but the world has to keep going, the one you help to power. Breakfast to make. Clothes to launder. Meetings to attend. An empty house while the kids are in school (making me realize: kids aren't alone on their birthdays!). I come home from a meeting to find a special gift left on the doorstep. The Jehovah's Witnesses have left me a Watchtower tucked under our doormat. (How did they know?)
* * *
In a fit of morbidness, I look up the US life expectancy figures. Hmm. Apparently I really am in middle age since the life expectancy for someone in the US is exactly double the year I am turning. Cheers, me!
* * *
I have a new affinity for Facebook today. I joined sometime last year and, while it was interesting, I kind of didn't get it. The updates are kind of funny and it's really nice to know what random people you know are up to. For example:
- my friend from Tufts who now lives in Sarajevo is taking a vegetarian cooking class today
- a blogging friend wonders why blowing a chimney sweep a kiss is lucky (hi Linsey!)
- a friend from our neighborhood in Virgina 10 years ago is trying to make pumpkin pie from real pumpkins
- G's cousin is playing Break the Ice with her kids
* * *
This is the last year in my thirties. I think I had all sorts of hopes and plans of becoming a better version of myself by now. But, as a little birthday gift to myself (and because I got my birthday present--a camera--early this year), I will simply remind myself what I already know--all I need for a happy future, sappy but true:
1. Love. Look at those kids, that husband, those parents and siblings. They love you. You love them. Feel it. Let that warm you or lift you when you need it to.
2. Exercise really is the magic vitamin for you. You might rationalize it away from the comfort of your bed but give yourself the favor of moving around and feeling alive. Yoga. Running. Walking. Biking. Dancing like a crazy person. Just do it. And breathe.
3. Create everyday: stories, laughter, photos, prayers, life, ideas.
4. Don't ever get a perm again. You learned this 20 years ago and it still holds today (I first heard this from Cathy Zielske and wholly concur).
* * *
Did you ever play this at parties?
Heavy heavy hangover, thy poor head (what? were we talking about hangovers?)
What do you wish with a *bump* on your head?
And then the giver would hit the birthday kid with the present and the birthday kid would give them a wish, as in "I wish you would get a baby sister." Or "I wish a horse for you."
That was kind of an odd tradition, don't you think? And don't even get me started about spanking machines...
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Reader Comments (17)
HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANNIE
We hope you are having a wonderful day. Check your e-mails for further birthday wishes.
Lindsay & Jessica
Happy, Happy Birthday, Annie Dear.
I haven't been on your blog for a week or more, so this is just to respond to all your wonderful entries. And to let you know we are celebrating your fabulousness today, as we think about how lucky we are to call you ours. (mine.mine.mine.)
We love you beyond words,
Ma and Pa Feliz Natal! (Maybe that refers to Jesus' birth, but in this case, it is YOURS!
Happy Birthday to you! I hope you are enjoying this beautiful Autumn day! Thanks for passing on your lessons.
happy day! what a sweet girl, to get up and do the dishes for you! I love that!
enjoy this year ~ happy birthday
HAPPY BIRTHDAY! i'm always disappointed in people who don't self-promote, because then how am i supposed to know when it's their birthday?
but since it IS your special day, i won't berate you for being humble. instead i'll pass along my wishes on your behalf. hope you have a great one!!
Happy Happy Birthday Blogfriend Dear!
Hope you have a great day :)
Being reminded, I realize I always thought it was "Heavy heavy hang, over thy poor head," makes even less sense. What wierd children. Anyway, a happy happy birthday to you, Annie! And I wish I was half the person you are, so don't go showing us up too much and getting to be whatever fantastical other version of yourself you think could possibly be better.
p.s. thought of you this morning while I made aebleskivvers!
Happy Birthday Annie! I truly enjoy your writing and wisdom. Please don't stop! Hope your day was wonderful!
Happy birthday!
Here's to a wonderful year :)
{Hope you still get to do something fun in between all the every day mom stuff.}
{And Maddy,
*oh* what a sweetheart!}
Happy Birthday!
Oh Happy Happy Birthday! Annie! I hope your day was wonderful. I am glad I know you--thanks for your thoughtful reminders on living life!
Happy birthday, friend! I wish I was there to take you to a movie, that was my favorite birthday tradition. Go see one for me, okay?
You make 39 look good. So glad to know you!
happy birthday!
Happy, happy birthday! I LOVE YOU! You already ARE the better version of yourself.
Happy birthday, my cyber-sister!
We always played "heavy heavy hangover" at birthday parties. And we had spanking machines.
Of course in those days, birthday parties were in the backyard or basement. Not at an IMAX or Build-A-Bear. We had to entertain ourselves cheap-and-desperate style.
The best thing about getting older is waxing nostalgic!
Oh freak!! The median mortality rate is 78? I have lived 2/3 of my life? I am not ready for this kind of information!!!
But Happy Birthday to you youngin'!!!