Birthdays Past & Present

In the course of a year, there are some days in our lives which deserve special attention.  They merit the use of ink of a different color.  They are annual milestones.  Birthdays are such days.  Most of us remember a small handful of birthdays, but what if we could go back and revisit all of them over the years.  Like links in a chain, the diamonds and rubies and sapphires of our birthdays sparkle fresh when we revisit them in our journals.  That is what I’m doing.  Today, July 15, is my birthday, and I’m taking a birthday journey through my journals, and you are invited to come along, too.

·        2002 – “I had a dream … I was on a trip in the dark to some remote place: cold, rough log road, raining, rude, crude, muddy.  I arrive, thinking it’s going to have a great outcome (gold, diamonds, treasure, whatever), but things just get worse, and the sun never shines.  Finally, after a time, I decide to “throw in the towel” and get out.  Then the real trouble starts.  The trip back is one rip-off after the next, little food, nothing left.  I find I can’t go forward; I can’t go back; I should never have come; I should never have left   Then my dream speaks to me, ‘Sometimes we don’t know when we’re already ahead.’  Smart dream!  Later I celebrated with butter-pecan ice cream for dessert.  It’s my birthday!”

·        2003 – “There were cherries for breakfast this morning and birthday cards from my sister and brother.  A friend sends a dish of paneer and spinach for lunch, and a small scarf with a fringe.  Another friend stops by with zucchini and tomatoes from her garden for dinner.  How lovely it is to have family and friends!  I’m reading “The Feast of Roses” by Indu Sundassan, who also wrote “The Twentieth Wife.””

·        2004 – “I woke and put safflower seeds in the feeder for the cardinals.  The family arrives for a visit and we have dinner together followed by cold ice cream in the hot summer air.  The children doze off to sleep while the adults chat, their voices quiet in the night. On the porch, watching the stars and the fireflies.”

·        2005 – “I was given a gift of a “memory mattress” for my back, tied with red ribbons.  A friend comes by with a miniature rose plant for the garden.  The bougainvillea is in bloom.  And there are phone calls during the evening from the family about late arrivals for their visit this year.  It’s the last full weekend before the rush back to school begins.”

·        2006 – “My sister called me.  She had just returned from the hospital there they tried to get her ready for a procedure, except her blood vessels collapsed and they could not get a blood sample.  She’s now home and resting on oxygen and feeling very low. . Her body is shutting down.  Is she going to beat this?  (Two days later, I call, and much to my surprise, she was in really good spirits and said, “Happy Birthday!” in a clear voice.  Good things can happen.)”

·        2007 – (I’ve retired.  We’re selling our house, packing, and moving.)  “General cleanup.  Vacuum carpets.  Clean grout, plumbing, and re-hang light fixtures in the bathroom.  Loading the truck tomorrow.  Family calls to say, “Happy Birthday!”  I’m so tired; I just crawl onto an air mattress for the night.”

·        2008 – (In new house)  “Letter from the State Historical Society to say that our home is to be listed on the state and national public register list of historical properties!  What a wonderful birthday present!  We are really very pleased.  About mid-afternoon I receive a phone call from the city confirming this status.”

·        2009 – “My birthday today.  Hot! Hot! Hot! 100 degrees (F) due today.  Went to the Farmer’s market early while it is cooler.  Got a lot of fruits and vegetables  Lovely sweet corn-on-the-cob for dinner.  Then we went over to the local sidewalk sale.  I found a small wooden shelf for $ .50 – it just fits on top of the baking cabinet.  In the evening I practice some songs on the piano.”

·        2010 – “(104 degrees today) Up early to get tasks done while it is cool.  Water the garden.  Make a batch of spaghetti sauce.  Make a batch of rice for the freezer.  A bunch of birthday phone calls in the evening from family and friends, which makes a nice end to the day.”

·        2011 – “For the first time since retiring I’m sometimes feel like a ‘senior.’  Actually, I never thought I would live so long.  My husband is also showing signs of aging: arthritis, indigestion, back pain, irregular sleeping.  Phone calls come in the evening, but it’s just us, and it’s rather quiet this year.” 

·        2012 – “Lots of time making hospital visits.  My husband is due home tomorrow.  He’s not at all well, but he prefers to be home.  I’ll be glad to have more home time, too.  (Note:: he died the next month, in the kindest way possible, quickly, with no lingering pain.)

·        2013 – “My computer is down.  Arrange for service with a local expert, who does a very good job.  Unit should be back tomorrow.  Birthday calls from family, friends, and cards and calls from lots of people who want me to know they care.  I got through the day, and am grateful for the people around me.

·        2014 – “It’s 12 years of birthday journal entries above, and so much has changed.  I now teach classes in journaling and bookbinding.  I design sets and costumes for the local theater group, exhibit my design work locally, and am active with my garden and my blog, with family and friends.  The biggest difference is that before, when I was working, I had to spend a lot of time and energy doing things I hated.   Now I still spend a lot of time and energy, but it’s doing things I love.”

Some Words of Encouragement:

·        “There should be more to life than working … At the end of the day, you know what that is: to love and be loved.  Simply that.”  [Ref: At the End of The Day, B. Neels.]

·        “You only get one life.  You don’t get second chances.” [Ref: September, Rosamunde Pilcher, p. 486]

·        “Life is what happens to you when you are making other plans.” [Ref: Song, John Lennon]

·        “The only differences that are of lasting importance are the little differences that you make in the life of another person.” [Ref: Richard Pimentel, the power behind the Americans with Disabilities Act.]

·        “Yesterday’s history; tomorrow’s a mystery; today is the present; every day is a gift.” [Ref: “Little Pink Slips,” Sally Koslow, p. 27]