RenovationGirl: A Prize For My Birthday

Yesterday was my birthday. I turned 38. I've never been a "look at me" kind of girl on my birthday. Because of that, my birthdays have been rather tame in that lame kind of way and that was okay with me. This year, though, it was totally different.

While I have no idea why the difference occurred, it turned out to be a good thing. It seems that turning 38 was a little bit harder than I thought. 37 is your mid-30’s; 38 begins the slow march to 40: I am officially in my late 30’s. I’ve always said that age is just a number and I still believe that. I also believe that you can’t spend the time given to you depressed about your age. As my husband alway says, “the alternative isn’t much better.” So I have always embraced my age and never shied away from it. This year, I do that, too, but’ it’s been a bit more dificult to swallow than usual.

Being shy, attention has never been something I have sought out. If anything, I have always run in the opposite direction. This year for my birthday proved to be a time of attention and celebration. The birthday part of my day began with a giant hug from a great friend at work and a package of chocolate-covered pretzels.
Twenty minutes later, I received a serenade from 20 underclassmen in the middle of the hallway, loudly and full of hugs and high-fives. Shortly after that, during the change of classes, a group of seniors came in to wish me (again, very loudly!) a happy birthday and improvised a shortened Happy Birthday song. During my lunch duty, a group of senior boys who looked like they were up to something (and they usually are!) started the entire cafeteria of 90+ kids singing Happy Birthday to me and presented me with two cookies, one with an "H" and the other with a "B" for Happy Birthday because they couldn't find a candles (we're good at our school about not allowing the students to play with fire...). I turned every shade of red imaginable to the delight of the entire lunch. After my face turned to its normal and lovely shade of pale white, I went to eat my own lunch with friends to find a yummy chocolate fudge cake and a bouquet of flowers waiting for me with lots of hugs and song. Text messages had my phone bleeping all day and my email inbox was filled with Fa.cebook well wishes.

Upon arriving to pick up Builder Boy at school, his first words to me were, "HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MAMA! I love you!!" and I was given a huge bear hug and sloppy kisses. He talked all the way home about my presents he couldn't wait to give me and promptly made me a beautiful card to go with the store-bought one he already had. He waited patiently (not really) for Remodel Man to come home so he could give me his presents-a Sock Monkey and Sock Monkey slippers (I love Sock Monkeys!!!) in a Sock Monkey bag. He told me about my present from Remodel Man (an iPhone!!!) and we headed to a wonderful dinner at one of our favorite local restaurants. We finished the evening by stopping at nearby bakery for some amazing sweets.

It was an abundant day. I felt celebrated. I felt joy-filled. I felt loved. I felt full. THIS is what birthdays should feel like. THIS is why people dread birthdays, because they don't get treated like this on their special day. People went out of their ways to make me feel so appreciated and it affirmed to me the importance of going out of MY way to make people feel the same way. No more late gifts in the mail-I will get to the post office in time (I huge issue of mine!). No more fast texts and Fac.ebook posts because the card I bought (or didn't) wasn't going to get to the person in time. No more excuses. People deserve to be celebrated!

Right before going to sleep, I listened to a voice mail message from my goddaughter and her mom, PorscheNut, singing Happy Birthday to me. "Happy Birthday, Aunt RenovationGirl!" said PorschePeanut,"This is a prize for your birthday!" You bet it is, baby girl! I went to sleep with a smiling heart.