My birthday is this week and I’m excited. Each day is a blessing and after 63 years I know that for a fact! After all these years, I still get excited about my birthday, but as I get older the feelings are different from when I was younger.
When I was younger, birthday excitement revolved around presents and parties and anticipating what I was going to get. Don’t get me wrong, I still enjoy a good present but these days that’s not the focus of my excitement. Now, it’s in knowing that my birthday is special just for me. Yea, I know there are probably a million people that have the same birthday as I do. And those who are twins or multiples share even more of the same birthday characteristics. But even in those cases, the circumstances of your birth are unique only to you. The date, exact time, location, etc., are yours and yours alone. So, on my birthday I feel special, like the sun is shining just on me. Well, that is if I’m lucky to get sunshine in January.
This year I’m looking forward to having a vegan birthday breakfast with my immediate family. I’m not one who likes a lot of attention, so celebrating with a small group is what I enjoy. I’m also planning to take a couple of days off work – just because.
Since my birthday is in the middle of winter, I’ve always wished to celebrate in the summer months, so maybe this year I’ll take a weekend in July and make it my birthday #2. Use the day to plan something fun in the warm weather, since I don’t get that in January either.
And each year I take time to remember and honor my mother, who gave birth to me on what became my special day, but who also passed away on my birthday in 2019. The first year after her passing I thought that I would never enjoy another birthday again, because I would always be sad remembering her passing. The first year was hard, but I know that she wouldn’t want me to feel sad, so I try hard to celebrate my birthday for me and for her.
So, whatever your special day – enjoy it the way you want! The sun is shining on you wherever you are!