Today is July 31 AKA my birthday. Visions of past birthdays flood my memory. Parties, cake, presents, cake, games, cake, ice cream, cake (hmm…I might be slightly obsessed with the cake). 47 years on the planet = lots of cake.
Shutting the door on my mid 40’s, I enter the raging party of the late 40’s. No cake so far, but I can always hope.
Another year, another birthday. After I ran out of fingers and toes to count on, I kinda lost track. Who wants to celebrate one more step towards her own mortality? If it involves cake, I might be interested.
“you are not special”
My first night in Austin, I visited an amazing Tex-Mex restaurant where I overheard a bartender tell a patron these exact words. When I asked why she wasn’t special, he responded just because it was her birthday, didn’t mean she was special.
GEEZ! What a rude awakening. My childhood was centered on the fact that my momentous day was my birthday. Everyone had his/her special day. Perhaps if everyone is special, no one is. As an adult, I am firmly aware Earth doesn’t revolve around my birthday.
Between sips of a jalapeno margarita, I took a mental note of his proclamation. No special attention from that bartender. For the rest of the evening, my colleagues and I continued reminding each other how unspecial we were.
especially unspecial
Today may not hold any particular significance to you. Although, I did find out my birthday is shared with national orgasm day. Definitely could be worse. Just saying.
Is it necessary to be special in order to celebrate? How about celebrating the fact it’s Thursday? A good hair day is certainly reason to celebrate. A birthday present from me to me was a keratin treatment to remove the ever present frizz. I’m still celebrating that one!
celebrating 47
I don’t feel older. Should I? I don’t act older. Should I? The moment I feel old. I will be. I’ve heard people say that 40 is the new 30. Whatever does that mean anyway?
Last night my kids took me to dinner for my birthday. It felt good just being with them regardless of the occasion. I asked them to take a group selfie and they both declined. So no pic to mark the event.
Tonight I’m continuing the celebration with a few friends over a glass of wine. My birthday may not be special, but the resulting celebration certainly is.
The more I consider the bartender’s comment a few weeks ago, I come to realize he was just bitter. What is wrong with feeling special on my birthday?
To tell the truth, I feel special most days. I have great friends and family. I’m burlesque dancing, zebra princess, mermaid. What could possibly be better?
especially special
What is your opinion of birthday celebrations? Do you think they are completely overrated? If you believe you are not special, you aren’t. It all starts with you. Share your thoughts.
