Monday, August 6. 2007
Reflections Of Birthdays Past
I could waste my time feeling old, but honestly most of the time I don’t. Last week I checked in with my physical self and ascertained that I still can do a cartwheel, hula hoop and a yoga headstand, so I still feel strong. Of course I will always feel like a work in progress, never content with my weight, or some other aspects of my appearance…but knowing that about myself is just part of accepting who I am, so I guess it’s a lesson in wisdom that I’ve gained in these years I’ve lived. In the grand scheme of things, I am extremely healthy and still able to do the things I want…and that’s a blessing for which I am thankful!
So instead of lamenting the number of birthdays I’ve had, I’ve been reminiscing about some of my “Birthdays Past”. I thought it would be fun - and therapeutic - to share my memories.
I think the first year I had a friends party as well as a family party was when I turned eight years old. This first photo shows my best friends Janet and Elaine ready to par-tay with me. Elaine and I had hooked up in kindergarten, and Janet joined our ranks in first grade when we started at St. Anthony’s Parochial School. Our ‘posse’ became complete in third grade when the twins, Anita and Sheila, joined us. See how stylin’ we were in our 
uniforms…I think we wore them well, don’t you? We were inseparable until my family moved to Colorado when I was thirteen. We tried to keep up the long distance relationship, but ultimately we lost touch. The second photo was taken at my family party later that day. You can see Grandma Bessie looking on as I blow out my candles…and Dad’s left arm. That was my usual spot at the table, nestled in between Dad and Grandma.
The third picture might need some explaining…My oldest sisters Patricia and Judy apparently thought that no eight year old girl should be without a 6-foot stuffed rabbit, so that is what they gave me for my birthday. I named him Harvey (after the one Jimmy Stewart sees in the movie Harvey. It’s a very enjoyable movie, by the way, and I recommend watching it if you ever have the chance.) My sisters thought it would be fun to get me to try (try being the operative word) to dance with Harvey, then take a picture of the fiasco…cruel sense of humor on those girls! I am convinced that the event recorded in this photo is the reason I don’t dance to this day! Another side note…look at that bony knee…didn’t these people feed me?
As the years went on, I remember all my friends coming to birthday parties held in the back yard…and 2 years in a row being rained out and having to make a mad rush into the house. That was disappointing, but the Carvel ice cream cake never disappointed!
Roll the calendar ahead a few years to turning 15 in Colorado. I was getting older and clothes were very important. I think also I had (and still have) clothing issues stemming from having to wear a uniform for seven years straight! I told anyone who asked what I wanted for my birthday that I wanted money so I could go clothes shopping. I had the store in mind, and the Saturday after my birthday my brother was kind enough to drive me 40 miles to Denver so I could spend my birthday money. When we pulled into the parking lot I was devastated to discover that the mall had closed an hour before! Well, being an easily crushed 15 year old, that was the worst blow I could imagine, and I screamed and cried all the way home…poor Jimmy!
After that, birthdays became more routine and considerably less dramatic. Some notable exceptions:
I got a divorce for my 30th birthday…sure, I gave it to myself, but I believe I won’t be insulting any other gift by saying it was the best gift I’ve ever received.
My wonderful Scott took me away to our favorite Bed and Breakfast on my 40th.
I think if I had to sum up birthdays for myself, I really do consider them as a day to celebrate yourself, your existence in the world (which no matter how old we get is really a very short time) and your importance to those who love you...issues worthy of consideration at least once a year.
