It’s
my birthday today.
I
start the day to peanut butter and jam on toast and birthday cards from Tony
and my parents. Tony’s card says that he’s sorry he can’t be here with me but
that in a way he’s always with me anyway. I like that thought and it makes me
smile.
After
a bath, more text messages, e-mails, a phone call from Tony and congratulations
via Facebook I'm spending 2 hours volunteering at the Lewknor Blue Cross Adoption Centre. I love animals and I
love working there.
In
the afternoon I treat myself to a visit to the hairdresser before making my way
to my friend Lisa’s book launch. While waiting at the bus stop
for the bus to Oxford (it’s my birthday and I want to have a drink) an old lady
asks me if the bus has already been and gone and I assure her that it hasn’t
but that it should be here soon. She then calls her husband to tell him and
refers to me as the “young girl” she just asked. It makes me crack up inside. I
am 36 today.
At
the book launch, Lisa gets everyone to sing Happy Birthday to me and I blush
because I’m a bit embarrassed. I appreciate it, though.
As
I listen to the stories of some of the women featured in Lisa’s book, stories
of adversity and turning that adversity into the very reason to thrive, I feel
very moved. I remember the old lady from the bus stop and how from her perspective
I’m a young girl. In the same way, for these women, adversity put perspective
back in their lives.
It reminds me what birthdays are all about: celebrating
being alive. I don’t want to wait until I’m old to appreciate being young or to
lose or almost lose the things that matter in life to learn to appreciate them.
I’m alive. The time to live and love is now.
Oh Dani - I was late and didn't know it was your birthday. I am that old lady to whom you appear young - 10 years younger than my youngest son! And yet I felt we were the same age. I am glad you had a good birthday and pleased we met. Yes, live in the moment.
ReplyDeleteYou have a wonderful attitude to life! Live it to the full - you only get one (I think!)
ReplyDeleteyes live while you're are young but remember what we older type people always say...You are only as old as you allow yourself to be"...me?...I'm still a teenager...happy birthday...
ReplyDeleteold grizz
Thank you. Old grizz, you remind me of this quote: "Growing old is inevitable, growing up is optional!" ;-)
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday, whenever it is (today?)! I like your positive attitude and enjoyment of life.
ReplyDeleteYou sure squeeze a lot of living into one day. Happy birthday :)
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday, kiddo! I'm glad you've taken an upbeat attitude toward it. I adopted those same ideas long ago. You can't stop the hands of time, so you might as well enjoy each precious minute.
ReplyDeleteDon't count the years, I remember many years ago someone asked me my age and I automatically said 36. Later on reflection I realized that I was in fact 46!
ReplyDelete