Celebrate Your Birthday

Yesterday I had another birthday but I didn't celebrate it. As I woke up this morning, I realized I should have. Birthdays have always been a bit difficult for me and I think it's because I'd always get my expectations so high and then be let down when they weren't met. I would forget that it's just another day to everyone else. So I've come to expect to be let down. And no matter what happens, I feel disappointed by it. So much so that I've sabotaged almost every birthday I can remember for the past twenty or more years. There were a few happy ones in there I'm sure, but I don't remember those. I only remember the bad ones. And I know now that it's my fault they weren't memorable--at least in a good way.

I vow to make next year different. I'm going to celebrate my birthday no matter what even if I have to bake a cake for myself. If you knew me you'd be laughing. I've never baked anything in my life. My mother bakes all the birthday cakes for all the grand kids so my siblings and I have all lucked out there. For some reason that baking gene obviously skipped a generation. Anyway, yesterday I pretty much spent the day alone. My husband took the kids to the supermarket and then to the park. I got some much needed alone time, but I also realized that's not what I really needed on this particularly day. Though I didn't complain because that's what he thought I wanted. The night before I'd told him not to even give me a card--we were fighting. Something I tend to do right around my birthday, therefore making sure I won't enjoy it. It is also only a week after my brother's funeral, so I just wasn't feeling like celebrating. Next year will be different because birthdays are special and everyone deserves to have a good time on theirs.

And why wait? Celebrate every day. I've decided to enjoy this day more than yesterday--even though I enjoyed yesterday as best as I could. I want to have a good time every day from now on. Life is too short to spend it bickering and being disappointed because things didn't work out the perfect you wanted them to. Things always work out anyway. And if you know someone who could use a reminder to celebrate, you can send them a card to remind them they're not alone. Check out my gratitude cards at http://cafepress.com/karmicbulldog. I created them because I know how much I appreciate cards--especially unexpected cards. And others do too. Send someone a smile and make two people's day--giving feels even better than receiving.

Til next time, be prepared for the best!