Birthday

Yesterday was my birthday.  Even though I wrote about Valentine’s Day in the posting for that day, I really don’t care that much about Valentine’s Day.

Don’t get me wrong…I still think it is a wonderful holiday and a grand idea but my main concern for the day is that it is my birthday.  To me that is a far more important event.

Technically speaking, I was not supposed to be born on Valentine’s Day.  My mom’s original due date for me was somewhere around March 8^th. But her doctor wanted to go on vacation so around Valentine’s Day, he started inducing all of his patients who were close to their due dates, including my mom.  That way he could collect the fees for the deliveries.  My mom told me it was the most painful start to a delivery she ever experienced, although I sometimes think that was a bit of a guilt trip on her part.  After all, except for my younger brother, she was anesthetized for all of her deliveries.

So I was born right smack in the middle of Valentine’s Day…at 2:07 pm, to be exact. When she wasn’t laying on the guilt about the pain, my mom would tell me I was the best Valentine’s Day present she ever received.  Which was very sweet of her to say.

One of the things I find interesting about having a birthday on a holiday is when people forget my birthday.  I won’t mention any names but when one’s own little brother forgets your birthday, it makes one wonder how he did not notice the plethora of heart items in the store.  How he did not notice the Valentine’s Day paraphernalia that appears right after Christmas or the lovey-dovey commercials that dominate the airwaves leading up to the holiday?

Granted, he hasn’t forgotten it in years but the fact that he did forget it at one time really makes me wonder.  I can understand forgetting someone’s birthday if it lands on, let’s say, September 26, since that isn’t a holiday.  But my birthday is on a holiday so it should be pretty memorable.

To be fair, he did remember my birthday yesterday as did my other brother, my sister, my nephew and bunches and bunches of friends.  It was very sweet the number of “Happy Birthdays” I received yesterday. Made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside!

Before I end this birthday posting, there was one other thing I wanted to mention. I find it interesting that the older I get, the more I enjoy my birthday.  I look forward to it for the weeks leading up to it, I enjoy all the festivities around it and I think back fondly on the memories that were made around each and every birthday.  I know there are some people who don’t like their birthdays, don’t want to celebrate them and don’t even want to think about them.  I don’t understand that.  It is a day to celebrate life. Your life. The anniversary of the start of your life. It is a chance for those who love you to tell you they appreciate the fact that you are alive by wishing you a “Happy Birthday”. And they give you cake, cards and presents. What in the world could be wrong with that???

If it is your birthday today, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!  If it is your birthday at any time this year, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!  If it isn’t your birthday at all this year, then you must be dead and, well, I hope you’re enjoying heaven. There, that covers everyone!

Thank you to all of those who expressed their birthday wishes to me!  I really appreciate it!!