A Day Like Any Other Day?

Quick Update: Thank you all of you for your happy birthday wishes. New post coming this weekend sometime.


My close friend sent me the perfect birthday card; it expresses exactly how I feel about this birthday.

The outside of the card is a large cat with one of those stares. You know the one—“I’m looking at you but I’m not acknowledging your existence.” It says “It’s your birthday?” And the inside says

Whoop-de-freakin’-doo.

I didn’t always feel this way, just the opposite, actually. I was one of those annoying people who treated birthdays as such a special day that it had to be celebrated. Some people don’t like to acknowledge their birthdays, which I thought was just silly. Why wouldn’t you want a day where it’s all about you? And why wouldn’t others want to celebrate such a special day as my birthday with me?

I was the one beaming while the restaurant employees sang Happy Birthday to me. No feigning embarrassment for me—I wanted to be the center of attention.

So, I’ve always kind of insisted on birthdays being celebrated. Not just my birthday! I wanted everyone to celebrate their birthdays extravagantly. Of course, that way I could justify celebrating my own that way, too.

But I’ve decided to give everyone a break and stop my attention-seeking ways. Last year was a wonderful birthday; Al did a fantastic job making it feel like a special day for me. It’s holding over, and I don’t feel the need to be the center of attention any more. Besides, with our trips this year, my birthday kind of pales in comparison.

And it absolutely has nothing to do with the fact that with this birthday I’m officially in my f-f-f-f-f-forties. Not at all. I have no problem with being in my f-f-f-f-f-forties. OK, I have a little problem with it, but really, what’s so bad about being in your f-f-f, oh hell, never mind.

I think this year I’ll treat it as just another day. Except for the fact that I’m posting about it here for everyone with access to the Internet to possibly see it, thereby practically forcing “happy birthday” comments. Plus, Mom has no doubt written a sweet and slightly embarrassing post about me growing up. Jay has probably mentioned it, too, because that’s just the kind of guy he is. So, I guess there will be a wee bit of celebrating.

Al will take me out to dinner where ever I want to go, so I’m trying to find a place that has the best dessert. Funny how I used to try to find the most exciting and popular place to go, and now I just want a really good slice of cheesecake. My how things change as you get older. Although I did read that women in their forties have some kind of sexual surge, so at least I have that to look forward to.

So, maybe a little celebrating wouldn’t be such a bad thing. Maybe I can find a place with a good dessert and someone to sing happy birthday.