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Thursday, September 17, 2009

The day September 17 was just another day on the calendar.



So today's my birthday. Forgive me for being so ho-hum. I'm less enthralled than in years past. Oh, it's not because I'm 41. Come on, you know you wanted to know but were pretending to be too gentlemanly/ladylike to inquire. I'm not one of those women who eschews her birthday and fears laugh lines. I don't have a botox fund or anything. I don't even fall victim to all the Strivectin and Hylexin ads. I don't pay mind to what jiggles and what body parts resemble a certain product in a tub in the grocer's dairy aisle. I don't yet have creaky and achy parts and I'm not counting gray hairs. I certainly don't pine away for my 20s.

Nonetheless, this year, my day is kinda craptastic.

Bird is home sick with pneumonia. Mac Daddy has bolted for some business trip. I have no family around to lend a hand. No one to share the load. No one to spoil me and shower me with attention. I maintain a childlike exuberance when it comes to my birthday. I'm confident it's annoying to everyone around me but I say celebrating a birthday sure beats the alternative. This year, not so much. You see, I love my birthday. Love it. In fact, I love everyone's birthday and make a way bigger deal than Mac Daddy likes. I think he's still miffed that the boys and I flocked him last year. Unlike me, Mac Daddy could care less about his birthday.

I, on the other hand, like to think that only I have a September 17 birthday. Please don't ruin the illusion for me. I like the rose colored world I live in, thank you very much.

But this year, in a week that leaves me sleepless and stressed, tuckered out and settling in, I can't muster up what it takes to celebrate. September 17 is just another day. Getting Deal off to school. Nursing Bird. Cooking dinner. Folding laundry. Sorting through junk mail. Cleaning up stray LEGO pieces. Mediating rifts. Wiping bottoms. Getting dishpan hands.

No one to cook for me. No one to take me out. No one to cut the cake, much less bake it (or buy it, as the case may be). No one to toast my 41 years.

So join me, today, September 17, for the little pity party I'm throwing for myself.


Addendum:
In true Mac Daddy fashion, he left a spread of chocolate croissants and coffee on the kitchen table before he left town. He left a giant slice of my favorite coconut cake from Hayes Barton Dessertery in the fridge. And he even packed Deal's lunch for school. Those little displays of thoughtfulness count eons more than expensive gifts and fancy dinners. Mac Daddy's gestures, waking to my boys running in to wish me happy birthday, the emails, tweets, and Facebook posts, and the sound of my dear friend's children calling me to sing Happy Birthday have already made my pity party a whole lot less pitiful. I'm a thankful birthday girl today.
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17 comments:

1A said...

Awwww. Birthdays are a big deal to me too. So are the thoughtful touches. Happy, happy. Hope you get to celebrate later!

Jen L. said...

Sorry it's not the perfect birthday you deserve. I'm the same way. It's MY day and I want to do it up right, you know? I hope you enjoy your goodies. Make sure MacDaddy takes you out on a special date when he gets home.
Also, I may call you and sing later. Just sayin'.

Jen said...

I've had a few birthdays like that myself & I feel the same way about birthdays as you do! My dh wouldn't have done those thoughtful things yours did tho. Wish I could babysit while you got to go out!!!

Leslie said...

Happy birthday girl! Even when we hit 40+ it's still cool to call us "girls." Hang in there, I promise there's happiness to be found in the mundane if you look for it, even if your birthday isn't as shiny as you'd hoped.

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday! Love the breakfast and cake goodies MacDaddy left this AM. I hope you can find some time to enjoy with a glass of wine.

Anonymous said...

Awww! Happy birthday! I hope your day turns around and it is a great birthday! Hope Bird feels better soon!

I can't find my blog said...

Happy birthday! I know that you said that you didn't want to hear this but you must be teh awesome because you share this day with my dad and he's the best!

Hope the whole day turns out as great as it started and Bird feels better.

dadshouse said...

Happy Birthday!!!!! I love the 40s - way more fun that the 30s. Sorry to hear of your circumstance, but it sounds like Mac Daddy done good. Enjoy your day.

Anonymous said...

That sucks. I'll bring wine to your pity party. Many happy returns--or happier returns. I know what you mean about wanting the day to be just a little special.

Deb Rox said...

Happiest of Birthdays. I love that MacDaddy treated you well this morning! You know you get the whole weekend, at least, when your birthday is on a Thursday!

Corina said...

Happy birthday girl! I have to say, most birthdays for me are just another day. Which pretty much sucks, because I NEVER treat myself to anything. That being said, my birthday is during Type A Mom, so you and I.... we are going to celebrate. Just pretend it is the 17th. See you then! Hope you have a good rest of the day!

ree said...

Happy Happy Happy Birthday!!!!

Aunt Becky said...

Happy Birthday, friend. I feel your pain. My birthdays have been so awful these past few years, so, so sad.

I really hope that your day improves.

landismom said...

Happy Birthday! Hope you get a make-up day over the weekend.

EatPlayLove said...

Happy Birthday, I've been there. I hope you get a rain check for dinner out at your favorite place. Hope you enjoyed that cake. =)

Melanie Sheridan said...

Happy Belated Birthday!

Convertible Girl said...

We have the same birthday issues here -- I think they're awesome and my husband likes to pretend they don't exist. Glad you got some treats!