Today I turned 34 years old. And I think I spent more time this birthday than any other thinking about what birthdays are really all about. Sure, they are a sign of the clock ticking, a sign that gray hairs are now too numerous to simply yank out, a sign that nighttime anti-wrinkle moisturizers are marketed for me. So, yes, I am a year older. But birthdays are more than that. Birthdays are a time to celebrate you....or today...to celebrate me! I am unique, I am special, I am somebody. And today I found out and reflected on the fact that I am somebody to a lot of people....and they are somebody to me! Once again I was reminded of all the paths I have taken in life and all the paths I have crossed and I am truly thankful for EVERY SINGLE ONE of them!
Oh my....I got phone calls and voicemails that made me laugh, emails that made me smile and cry ("the good kind" as Luke would say), flowers delivered to my doorstep in person and in spirit, cards that made me laugh out loud, smile, and once again cry...created by hands both young and old. I got text messages and videos from my little loves cross the pond and a certain Florida wild woman at the ripe ol' age of 2.75. I got the most delicious red velvet cupcakes hand delivered in the preschool parking lot, cupcakes that I envied months ago that a dear friend remembered and made just for me. My own tiny family spoiled me all day long and I will bask in our countless hugs, craft adventures, picnic dinner, joke telling contest, and sprinkler antics for days to come. And Facebook....dear Facebook. There is nothing quite like a Facebook birthday. I personally LOVE it! I heard from and got sweet birthday wishes from people I just saw yesterday, people I haven't seen in months, and even those I haven't seen in years.
Every one of them...every voicemail, email, card, text, video, and Facebook shout out...made me smile. I was immediately transported to a certain time and place with the sight of each name or photo wishing me a happy birthday. My preschool teacher wished me a happy birthday...I immediate thought of Sunshine Bears and the Grumpy chair (which I am ashamed to say I visited more than once!). I heard from my dear, sweet Aunt Ellie who was such a part of my childhood that it is hard for me to think of a big occasion without her presence or spirit. I heard from high school friends who used nicknames I haven't heard in years, college friends who know more about me than just the good stuff, grad school friends who have seen me covered (and I mean COVERED) in organic sediments from head to toe and who have held my hand through student teaching. I heard from former students who I now consider friends. I heard from cousins I don't get to see very often but that remind me that family is family no matter the distance. I heard from friends I have made since being a mother, friends that understand my family priorities but also care that I am ME. I heard from family that knows me in every stage of life...family who is proud of me and the 34 year old I have become. Today, on my birthday, I am reminded of who I am and where I have been. I am reminded that I am somebody and that I have been graced and blessed by so many people. I am humbled and thankful.
I have a week of celebrations ahead of me with friends who will not let me be celebrated just today. I will have more pictures to share and stories to tell but I just wanted to get these thoughts on "paper". I feel loved and I am THANKFUL.
Also, I once heard that you should call your mom on your birthday because it is her day too. So I did that. :)
(Flowers pictured are from Mom and Dad - thank you for all the birthdays)
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