Tag: presents

My Birthday is Coming, My Birthday is Coming

My birthday is coming.

Well, it’s in September.

And it’s July now…

But I am excited nonetheless!

First, I love parties.  This year has been a speck lean financially so far, and I haven’t been able to throw my usual parties.  Apparently no one else throws parties (or they don’t invite me?!?), so I miss having everyone gathered in an environment of fun and food and socializing.

Second on the list: cake.  Birthdays mean cake usually.  Last year, somehow there was no cake and I was a tad dismayed…I baked my own the year before, which was also somewhat disappointing.  Part of the excitement of cake is that someone that enough of you to make or buy a cake in your honor.  They were thinking of me! So, I will shake off the lack of cake love from the last two years and know that this year there will be cake.

Third: I love cards.  Handmade or store-bought, that part doesn’t matter, because I care what note is scribbled inside.  What did someone write down for me, to me??  I have been known to hoard cards from years past because they are so dear.  Nice Facebook posts are also appreciated.

Fourth: presents are good! I like presents.  I like to be thought of, but I can always tell the difference between a gift of love and a gift of “oh for fuck’s sake, it’s her birthday, here’s a thing in a bag.”  It’s not about the price.  It’s about the thought, about the love.  The obligatory thing in a bag actually hurts my feelings quite a lot.  Think of me with love or kiss my ass.

Fifth reason to be excited about my birthday: I’m still alive to celebrate!  That’s pretty magical and glorious.

Sixth thing: it means Halloween is coming soon! I get my Halloween decorations out in time for my birthday because I love Halloween as much as my birthday.

Seventh reason on this list: I can celebrate my birthday for the entire month of September.  Says who? Says me.  I write the rules of my life, and September is my birthday month so I accept lunch dates, presents and treats all month long.

Value

This time of year, we are bombarded with messages that tell us that gifts mean love, that money spent means love, that the only way to show love is to spend money, preferably more money than one can actually afford to spend.  Every kiss begins with jewelry purchased at the mall.  Holiday traditions begin with expensive cars.

I know that the best gifts have a value to the heart and soul that have nothing to do with what they cost.  Their value is in the sentiment and the weight of the emotion attached.

I have received gifts that cost a lot of money but they didn’t resonate with happiness and love.  They weren’t given with great joy and thus didn’t feel valuable, important, special.

I have received gifts that didn’t cost much at all that made me smile and glow.  My teenager managed to sneak in the makings for biscuits and my favorite apple butter for my birthday.  It was a secret plan, and she knew I’d be so pleased with hot biscuits fresh from the oven covered in apple butter.  Such happiness I felt and still feel when I consider all the planning involved.

Today I was surprised with something personal and sentimental, the what doesn’t matter.  As I type this, the tv is on and telling the world that we need to buy sweaters, jewelry, more more more…and there’s really not anything I can think of that can be bought in a mall that would come anywhere near the specialness of this gesture on a cold winter afternoon.

The value and the price tag are not one and the same, ya dig?

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My birthday, my birthday, yay yay yay

It’s time for my birthday!  There is no such thing as celebrating me too much!  If my parents had given me birthday parties as a child, I wouldn’t have to overcompensate like this as an adult!

The official date is September 5, but I am open to adoration and celebration starting right now.  If you have no idea what I want for my birthday, I will accept cash…and then I will kick you for not paying attention to my needs, wishes and whims.