Another Year, Another Candle
Whatever...
It’s hard to explain my lack of interest in my birthdays. It’s NOT denial. No, it’s definitely not that. It’s just another year, another candle, right? I’ve never been terribly reticent about sharing my true age.
Seriously. But I’m not that consistent about celebrating other people’s birthdays. Who wouldn’t celebrate an aging mother’s special day? We just did that for my mother a month ago!
When my three kids hit double-digits, though, the birthday parties ended. (I truly disliked all the sticky stuff, the sticky kids, and the noise.) Once they got older and into adulthood, we celebrated again. Birthdays are wonderful reasons to assemble and enjoy loved ones. My attitude about birthdays is incomprehensible to others, I suppose.
Still… I do NOT want parties thrown for me.
As I wrote before about turning 40…
I could not have denied that passage into 40s-land. My toddler announced it constantly at the grocery store.
When I turned 50, I was a college professor and several family members turned up at work. I was rather mortified, and they were excessively pleased with themselves. Thankfully, no one decorated a walker with a tooting horn.
I rode home down the highway later that day with white “birthday” paint all over my red SUV, horns beeping at me. I could only wave and embrace the celebratory moments. It wasn’t so embarrassing after all.
I turned 60 during the COVID lockdowns. Hallelujah, no stupid surprise party! But my three children hosted a little outdoor soiree on one of their decks. I got my first bottle of Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon out of that deal, so… Yay!
Now, I’m just trying to live with the right attitude about getting older … and cooler. My age is merely the number of years the world has gotten to enjoy me. All of me, all the time.
No one needs to celebrate me on one special day, but… this year was extra special. I attended a memoir writing retreat with teacher/author Marion Roach Smith and 19 other writers. We were in Tuscany, Italy and my birthday fell midweek. Even I couldn’t let such a special occasion to go by, I saw a chance to have a cake! It was delicious.
I’m glad you were able to attend the writing workshop on your birthday! A friend once told me that events which occur around the time of your birthday set the tone for the coming year. Sounds like you are on the right track. BTW - I’m not a fan of birthday recognitions either. 🙄
I will be 70 this fall- youngest kid in my High School class 50+ years ago. Over the past few years my world has radically changed and a birthday is what it is. Period