Birthday

Today is my birthday.

I have received several nice facebook messages on the subject. Some from people that I never talk to otherwise. This I find a little strange, but the well-wishes are still welcome. So thanks everyone.

A couple days ago I got a little sad and pouty that nothing was planned to celebrate my big leap into the year 2-7. Then I gave myself a reality check and noted that I never (or at least rarely) plan birthday celebrations for other people, heck, you're lucky if you get a "happy birthday" from me, so why should I expect other people to plan things for me. It doesn't mean my friends don't care, it just means that they have other things going on in their lives than to think constantly about me. So, I planned my own little get-together with just a few friends and some crepes. It's tomorrow night and I think it will be lovely.

One of my favourite birthday memories (and my brain only goes back so far so we're only dealing with birthdays that have happened in the last 10 years or so) is of my 20th. I went out for supper with a bunch of friends and then we had an impromptu party in the dorm hallway. Robyn brought over a cake, and I'm pretty sure Marilee was dancing around in rubber boots, and it was fun and crazy and spontaneous. It was so lovely because I just felt an overwhelming sense of love from my friends. That's all, just love, that's what I need.

Another good memory is of my 18th. We were having some financial struggles at the time so my gift from my parents was to cook a 10-course Chinese meal for me and a few friends. It was a lot of work on their part and it was really special for me.

My 19th birthday party brings up some bad memories. I had just come back from Israel a couple days before and I had terrible jet-lag. I was cranky and grumpy and ready for bed by 7:00. Esther got me a random gift and I totally showed my disappointment; something I feel bad about to this day (though I'm sure she's forgiven me). All my friends were really great, but I was really awful.

So, now I'm moving on to my late 20s. Who knows what it will hold. Hopefully there will be lots of love and good friends and not so much of me being terrible.