In late August I “celebrated” the big 3-1. I’ve now not “just turned 30;” I’m officially in my thirties. Not like it’s a bad thing. So far, my thirties is much more of a content place than were my 20s, not to even mention my teens. I feel like I’ve found something about myself – how to be happy? – that I hadn’t before. For all the happy moments in my teens and twenties, there was much turmoil, for me. So here I am, in my thirties. Cheers!
Now, I don’t know how you feel about birthdays but I am not a fan. I typically overplan my day, striving for a special trip to the Jersey Shore, into old city Philadelphia, a vacation getaway or some other trumped up thing. Typically all the planning is marred by bad weather, a fight with a family member or God knows what. But it always ends feeling hyped but a little bit of a let down.
Last year: 8.24.10, Boston Commons, 29 weeks 2 days pregnant with Jack and just hours into my 30s.
Last year, for example. My husband swept me off to Boston, my favorite city ever, for a little getaway while he was in town on business. Boston in August at 30 weeks pregnant? I packed light, sun dresses and flip flops. Little did I know that it would be pouring rain and in the 60s the whole week. I bought a few things there but heavy sweaters for really pregnant chicks are exactly easy to come by! And swollen feet? I could have been the poster child for below-the-knee swelling. Walking Boston isn’t the same fun when you’re that pregnant. It was a nice birthday but I can’t say it’ll go down in memory as the best ever.
And isn’t that what we all want every year? I think we all secretly wish that all our friends and family would know just what to do and come together for exactly the type of celebration you secretly want – surprise party or dinner party or whatever. Feeling cherished is, to me, such a sought after feeling in my life. Words of appreciation and spending quality time are the two ways I value most in that way.
This year: The week of my birthday 2011, me and my Jack doing what we do, hanging at home, pushing paper!
This year for my birthday, I took a bit of a different approach. My birthday fell on a Wednesday. My husband was working and now I’ve got a little guy to attend to. So I stayed at home, did some laundry and hung with my little man, following his schedule. John came home from work at his usual time, we did the bedtime routine with Jack, and then we made some shrimp on the grill. All in all, living my birthday like any other day paid off for me. I spent it with the people who mean the most, doing the things I’m so privileged to be tasked with for the family I love so much and I”m blessed to have. And isn’t that what it’s all about? Celebrating the fact that we’ve made it this far, that we have a life to live? I ended the day feeling satisfied and content. So, I say, happy birthday to each and every one of you for all the birthdays that passed and will come. Don’t lose sight of what truly matters in your pursuit of your perfect day or waiting for the perfect culmination of events and people. Happy birthday to us all!
How do you feel about birthdays?
Karen, I am so sorry for your loss. But happy for your blessing in Hunter!
BusyWorkingMama, I have not had a party for myself (as an adult anyway) or had one thrown for me. Sounds like fun!
BlueViolet, isn’t that always the way – we do for our kids and overlook ourselves?
Thanks for sharing your thoughts! Megan
I love birthdays, no matter what the age! But I do like to keep it low-key. Maybe every other year I’ll trow a big party but it is generally a lot of work.
Not a fan of my own either, mine falls on Mother’s Day and one of my grandson’s was born on my birthday and I lost my son on mother’s day.. so we make it special for our special little guy Hunter!
I’m not really a fan of my own birthday, so very little recognition works for me, but I love to make a big deal about the kids’ birthdays.