359 Days

Today is my birthday. When I was a kid, I remember how much I enjoyed my birthdays. It was a whole day about me; each year filled with hope and promise of all the amazing things to come. I also remember how excited I was to get older each year. On my 10th birthday I thought I couldn’t be happier; I had finally reached the magical double digits. That thrilling feeling of growing up lasted all the way through my 21st birthday. Back then, every year was the best birthday, and every birthday wish was about growing up and living my best life. 

In my 20’s I had some very nice birthdays, but they definitely started to lose their luster. They seemed hollow, and as I started to interact with a broader group of people than those who were just my same age, I started to notice there were many people who did not like their birthdays at all. These people subscribed to the, “it’s just another day” philosophy, and would often complain about how difficult aging was. I recall debating with one of these people that life is really precious and we should take every moment to celebrate the miracle that we have been given by our birth. But my optimism was met with sarcasm, and a smug, “you’ll see.” 

In my 30’s, birthdays became a miracle again, for that is when I became a mom. My birthday was nothing compared to the birthdays of my children. All my birthday joys came in the form of planning an amazing day for my kids to ensure sure they knew how miraculous they are. 

When my 40’s started I tried to get back to loving my own birthday again. I was so confident that my 40’s were going to be the best years of my life so far, and in many ways they were. But as I have been approaching the end of my 40’s all the voices of the people who told me birthdays aren’t special as you get older has been ringing true. Somehow, I unintentionally got to the point where I was actually saying to people, “it’s just another day,” and had nothing happened this year for my birthday I believe I would have been okay with that. 

But my children were raised in my house where I have told them that they are miracles and that birthdays are important to celebrate the miracle that is you. They were not going to let me get aways with it being “just another day.” This whole weekend was filled with love and laughter and all the things that make me happy. I truly could not have asked for anything more. 

Today marks the start of my last year in my 40’s. All my birthday wishes from the past came true, I did get older and I have a great life. So because my wishes seem to come true I want to use my power to share this year’s wish with you all; may we all continue to grow in health, happiness, and wisdom surrounded by the people that we love.