Happiest Birthday

 

 This year my birthday felt a little different for me...usually I'm thinking about what I want, whether I should have a party or not and I hate to admit it, but I really worry that people will forget it.  Birthdays, holidays, and anniversaries have always been a really big deal to me-they need balloons and parties and good food and special hand written letters to be special.  I think it stems from my Mom, because she's a very thoughtful person and always made our birthdays very special; she'd wake up super early or stay up late to put a big sign and balloons in the front yard, then wake us up at the crack of dawn with the whole family singing and giving us gifts in bed and she always remembered whatever gift we'd been talking about or had mentioned and hadn't even realized it.  I'm not sure why I'm exposing myself like this, but this is one "virtue" that may have turned into a "vice" for me, atleast when it's my birthday.  I LOVE planning parties for my family and finding them special gifts, but when my big day comes around I worry that people wont do the same for me and if they don't, then I get really sad or really ornery (and both are quite unpleasant, as Ronnie can testify to).  ANYWAY, what I'm trying to build up to, is that this year, I didn't care!!!  And if felt so nice!  I remember the exact moment when I was washing my hair and the first thought about my birthday popped into my head and it was "Huh, my birthday's on Monday.  That's crazy".  Maybe I've matured.  Maybe my brain is too fried to worry.  Or maybe I've gained a little more charity in the last year.  I love realizing when I've done a little growing up :)

Ronnie made my birthday just perfect.  He completely surprised me by bringing balloons and my favorite treats (Skittles and Reeses) to me at work!  Of course he had to take them right back with him because 30 children rushed to the door as soon as he entered with them and started screaming for balloons...but that moment made me smile for the rest of the day.  Then a miracle happened and a client gave him a gift card for graduation and we were able to go out to Texas Roadhouse for dinner.  It may sound lame, but I've realized that when you are happy with what you have and you love the people around you for who they are, nothing can ruin your day, much less your birthday.

PS  I can't forget to thank all of the other wonderful people who contributed to my birthday...you know who you are!  I love you all!