Tuesday, June 17, 2008

birth day


I've had a really nice birthday.


It all started with the kids wanting to stay here Sunday night instead of with their dad, so that they could make me breakfast in bed. They all got up at the crack of dawn to make peach waffles and apple slices with peanut butter, and to make a really cute card. Breakfast was wonderful, and it's obvious that their dad has done a good job teaching them to make waffles. They made enough to feed a small army and we all sat on my bed and ate waffles with the one fork available. Eventually we simply ate them with our fingers. Walking through the kitchen to throw my syrup covered sheets in the washer, I noticed that the kitchen looked about the way you'd expect it to after the cooking extravaganza, but I didn't even care. It was a great start to the day, and at least the ants in my kitchen were well fed.


Next up I met two of my best friends for coffee and presents and spent a lovely couple of chatty hours. I had barely walked into the house from that and the phone was ringing with a lunch invite that ended up with three ladies and five kids eating Indian food. Every time I got home I was greeted by the houseful of fresh flowers my mom and Stu had gotten for me. And all day long the birthday wishes rolled in - via email, snail mail, phone calls and in person. It was all very appreciated. I felt quite loved.


It's really easy to fall into the negativity trap, no matter how hard you try to avoid it. But something that I've thought for a while now became crystal clear today. Yeah, I'm inching toward fifty. I'm in a state of flux the likes of which I don't think I've ever seen. I'm the one who got dumped for the first time in my life, the old and ratty lawn in a "grass is always greener on the other side" midlife crisis. I'm the one...


...who wakes up in the morning with this odd sense of peace and contentment that just continues to grow through the day. I'm going to be just fine. And that's truly beginning to sink in.


My mom sent me my horoscope from the Los Angeles Times, and here is what it said.


If your birthday is June 16th...

You're able to express your love in ways you never have before, making this a year to forge stronger connections.

The summer brings a fiscal surprise--you earn money for something you didn't even know was a viable skill.

Someone you admire will come into your world in a stronger way in September. Sagittarius and Libra adore you.

Your lucky numbers are 4, 9, 18, 42 and 19.


Works for me.

28 comments:

Susan said...

Happy Birthday!! A proper birthday cake will be waiting for you in July! Maybe cheesecake, maybe BR mint chip roll cake, whatever you want.

willowtree said...

Happy Birthday Fossil! xoxoxo

Pam said...

didn't know it was your birthday today...happy birthday! it sounded like a really nice one...glad you are starting to feel a little at peace :)

ped crossing said...

yeah for a great birthday. glad life is starting to treat you kindly.

Rose said...

Happy Birthday! Isn't it great, realising you're in such a great place?

Happy, happy birthday!

-Ann said...

Happy Birthday! You have the same birthday as my nephew The Kid.

Maggie May said...

Happy Birthday! (They can go on for a week!)
If you have inner peace....... then that is all that matters!

Beth said...

Happiest of birthdays to you belatedly. Here's to you -- insert clinking of glasses here -- and hope you had the most wonderful weekend!

Anonymous said...

A big happy birthday to you. The waffles sound delicious!

CJ xx

softinthehead said...

Belated birthday wishes RC, that sounds like a truly lovely day :)

the mother of this lot said...

Happy Birthday RC! Glad you sound on the up!

laurie said...

yum, waffles!

LoraLee said...

Happy Belated Birthday RC!

Kim said...

Happy Birthday to you! What wonderful, sweet boys you have. Your writing is conveying peace instead of turmoil. I love reading that.

Aoj and The Lurchers said...

Belated Happy Birthday RC! I'm so glad you had such a good day!

Marti said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY RC! Glad to know things are going in your direction. I hope you are up for the 'small' visitor heading your way.

Many happy days to come!

Hugs,
Marti

Amy said...

Well, look who's oozing with peace and contentment. Happy birthday!

Happy in the Abyss said...

Hippo Birdie! By the way, Scorpios love you, too!

Kaytabug said...

Happy,Happy Birthday!!!
I got a lil teary at what your boys did for you. I want boys like that when I grow up, what's the secret?

It's nice to hear you had such a beautiful day. :)

Akelamalu said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AND MANY HAPPY RETURNS

I'm so pleased you had such a lovely day. :)

Swearing Mother said...

Glad you had a good day.
x

Potty Mummy said...

Happy Birthday RC! And you will be - just fine. I remember a similar seminal moment after a particularly nasty break-up with a long term boyfriend, who I had just moved in with after 7 years (despite my catholic parent's horror), and who then dumped me three weeks later. I was inconsolable. For - oh, 3 whole days (clearly not a relationship with legs, I admit). And then, I just got fed up with crying, realised I had everything I needed; friends, family, a job, my health, and that in fact I was in a pretty good place. I never looked back.
I know it's not that easy for many people, but isn't it just so damned relaxing when the pain stops?

Mya said...

Belated birthday greetings, RC!
A lovely, great upbeat post - inspiring, cheering and moving all in one. Yay!

Mya x

Graham Cracker said...

Happy Birthday and I'm glad things are calming down and looking up for you.

Rudee said...

Happy Birthday. Amazing horoscope you have there. You deserve some good fortune girl.

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday, RC.

Sending love and tranquil thoughts your way.

Glad your day was special. Your boys are really sweet, when you get right down to it. They love their mom, so much.

Now treat yourself, just as kindly.

XOXOX

aims said...

RC - it sounds like you have turned the corner on wisdom - not age.

Happy Birthday Girl!

That Janie Girl said...

Happyb Birthday!