A Birthday Thought
I just had a birthday. I had a lot of time to think about this one because of a painful knee injury that kept me in bed for awhile. Since I couldn’t walk without aid and certainly couldn’t do stairs, I recuperated at my sister’s where she pampered me. It was her loving kindness that got me on my feet sooner than my doctor expected. I’m still shaky but doing much better.
On one hand, my birthday meant little to me this year. I was just too busy warding off pain and trying to stay comfortable. But when my day came and went and I felt better, I admit, I started to feel sorry for myself.
Where were my birthday cards (they were at home collecting in my mail box)? When could I treat myself with my annual birthday book? And where was my slice of birthday cake??? And I wondered, why am I such a spoiled so-and-so to still expect such birthday accolades?
I could blame my mother who made our birthdays special when we were young but it goes beyond that. I can’t deny that on my birthday, I usually feel glad all day. I think birthdays are singular because they are days that belong just to one’s self (or in my case to “us”, my twin and I). Birthdays are the only day on the calendar of which we can say, “Today I’m going to do exactly as I please!” and really get away with it, no questions asked. I love my birthday so much that I actually feel sad when the day comes to an end. Imagine that at my age.
This year I celebrated on the day I put the walker away. A friend brought me a cupcake and we sat in the late afternoon sun and ate it with mugs of hot tea. When she left, I ordered a long-wanted book and was happy to realize that when it arrived, I could sit up and read it without ice packs and heating pads. And in truth, THAT actually made for a pretty nice birthday.
11 Comments
Erina
A very very Happy Birthday to you Donna! I’m glad you’re back; I was beginning to worry and wonder if all was well with you. The knee injury sounds awful. Keep taking care of yourself and being kind to your body. Even though your special day wasn’t quite what you would have chosen, you are so lucky to have a beloved sister and twin! Take care and stay happy,
Warmly,
Erina
Cherre
Happy Birthday Donna! I love birthdays still, for the attention, gifts and another blessed year around the sun.
Dana
Happy Birthday! Every time I see a new post from you it is like a gift to me. Wishing you much joy and love in the coming year.
A Lovely Inconsequence
You’re so kind Dana!
LA CONTESSA
I ADORE BIRTHDAYS!
ALWAYS HAVE AND ALWAYS WILL……………..
NO BETTER GIFT THEN THE GIFT OF HEALTH AND NO PAIN!
I WISH YOU A YEAR OF GOOD HEALTH AND LOADS OF TEA!
ONWARDS WE GO…………..XXX
A Lovely Inconsequence
Thank you Elizabeth!
Tracy Hagstrom
So glad you are better.
Happy belated birthday 🎂.
I guess the gratitude list comes out for times like this.
Beth M.
I agree — birthdays always feel special. Mine’s in the summer, and from childhood on it felt like a day I was allowed to take off (and I almost always did; it was a rare birthday that found me at work) and luxuriate in, completely devoted to whatever I wanted. Now that I’m pretty much retired, I’m trying to treat every day that way, like a wonderful gift just for me, to be spent in any wonderful manner I can think of.
I also had a year of recovering from two hip replacement surgeries, so I know what you mean about the grateful feeling you get when you rejoin the world after missing it while healing. You had many reasons to celebrate yourself this year, Donna!
A Lovely Inconsequence
Thank you Beth and I’m so glad you have recovered as well!
Karen
That’s “gifties”, not furies!!! Lol. Autocorrect and I are still crossing swords, I see!
Karen
Happy birthday! I think you got a truly wonderful–even heavenly–gift this year: the knowledge that someone loves you enough to take sweet care of you. To literally be there for you when you fall. To shower you with little caring moments, offer you shelter, feed you, pamper you. What a gift!! You’ll never have to worry again that you would be bereft of help in a time of need! The cards, the little furies, the books–those are so nice, yes. But a gift of loving, even sacrificial, service–now, that’s a treasure above and beyond the ordinary. In fact, it’s a treasure. And if it’s wrapped in a dear familiar face, so much the better. You didn’t have to depend on the kindness of strangers. You’ve been deeply blessed, my friend. ❤️