Today I was born into this world…40+ years ago. (I’m not like the number this year, but there isn’t a darn thing I can do about it.) 🙂
A few of my birthdays stick out in my memory…
It was my 6th birthday. I remember receiving from Mom and Dad a beautiful pleated navy blue and white plaid skirt with a matching vest. I wore it proudly that evening to my Grandma Edna’s for what I remember to be a family birthday dinner. I was the most beautiful six year old in the world (in my mind) that evening. I have a picture of me somewhere in my archives of pictures from that day. I would sure love to find it. Mom and Dad always made my birthday special. Never did I get a “combined Christmas and birthday” present from them. We either would go out to eat (on a rare occasion) or I would get to pick my favorite birthday meal…Mom’s spaghetti. And I would always get to have my favorite dessert on my birthday because it was left-over from the day before…mince meat pie. 🙂
I remember my 16th birthday. I had a slumber party that evening with my friends from high school. I have a picture of it in my high school memory book. A couple of my friends gave me a jar of green olives…I loved olives then, and I still do today! It was such a fun birthday, spending it with all of my favorite people. I think back to that night, and I’m sure Mom and Dad didn’t get much sleep with about nine 16-17 year olds laughing, joking and having a good time right below their bedroom! I wish I could get their perspective of that night today. I’m also reminded Tina was there that night too. God has really intertwined her and my life together and has blessed us with each other’s friendship all these years!
I also remember my first birthday married to Bill. He surprised me Christmas night and took me to a jacuzzi suite at a local hotel. He treated me like queen. It was wonderful! I stayed in the jacuzzi too long the morning of my birthday…when I moved from the relaxing jacuzzi to the shower to get ready for the day, I fainted! We went to breakfast at Perkins that morning. We shopped for a good part of the day, and I was able to pick out some of the things I really wanted for my birthday. 🙂
My 40th birthday was a memorable one. We were planning on going to eat at Phat Daddy’s in Marengo that evening with whomever could make it…Ali was going to babysit some of her nieces and nephews at our home while the adults went to dinner. When we got to the restaurant, all my brothers were there, Tina and Mike came, and our friend Gary surprised me there as well! It was such a nice dinner with my family! We all came back to our home afterwards for birthday cake and ice cream. Ali had made signs and put them up all over our home that said, “Lordy, Lordy…look who’s 40!” with my 16 year old picture from high school on it. 🙂
I guess these birthdays stick out in my mind because of the people that made these days special for me. I’ve had many other memorable ones as well. With Mom and Dad not being on this earth any longer, my birthday is a bitter-sweet day. They used to make a big deal about my birthday, and they always made me feel very special. I miss them, especially on this day. Bill, Ali and Zach always do special things for me on my birthday. I will either see or hear from my brothers today, which blesses me. I will be able to spend part of the day with Bill’s side of the family as we celebrate Christmas with them today. I know birthdays aren’t always the happiest day for many, but it’s always been a very special day to me. I thank God today for the life He has given me, for how He has blessed me, and for all the wonderful people He has placed in my life!
I look forward to a blessed birthday ahead!
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