I have an appointment diary into which I write all my upcoming events including regular activities such as nursing home volunteering days. In the run up to Christmas I have been particularly diligent because it is such a busy time. All last week I kept thinking there was something happening on Wednesday. I'd glance in the diary but there was nothing written down. What had I forgotten? Such a puzzle until I read the date - it was the 19th, my birthday! Now that really means I'm getting old!
When I was a child birthdays were looked forward to with breathless anticipation. I'd count down the days and wake on the morning of my birthday and think, "I'm 10". I was always a bit disappointed that I actually didn't feel at all different.
My parents always made the day special with cake for breakfast and a special dinner at night. Also there were presents waiting for me on the sideboard in the lounge room which I would ceremoniously unwrap and exclaim with delight over, even though sometimes it was a bit hard to get too enthusiastic because my mother liked to give me 'sensible' and 'useful' gifts. It was usually gifts from overseas or from neighbours which were a bit frivolous and more appealing to a child.
I think I was about 3 when I received my first doll. I was led into the lounge room and looked on the sideboard where the presents usually were. There was hardly anything there. I can remember feeling disappointed until my father suggested I look on the couch. There, nestled among the cushions, looking very comfortable sat Hansel, a boy doll. He had a cloth body which had some sort of firm filling and his head was some sort of compound over the top of fabric with a painted on face. He wore a blue 'playsuit' and had a jaunty red felt hat and matching shoes. I was thrilled and couldn't be separated from Hansel for weeks. I've still got him. ...somewhere.
Over the years I got some really good presents. My rope petticoat deserves its own blog at a later date but my first transistor radio was a marvellous gift. Compared to the tiny radios these days it wasn't terribly small, in fact it was a bit like a brick but I thought it great. It had a smart leather case with a handle so I could carry it around with me.
There are special ages. Turning two digits, 10 was exciting. The next special date was 13 and becoming a teenager. My mother said that you weren't a teenager until you were 17 which took the gloss off being 13 a bit. I never quite understood her logic! Then being 'sweet 16' was good. Being able to vote at 18 and then a big party when I turned 21. All were milestones to be celebrated.
I didn't like turning 25 and had a bit of a downer. Half of 50! Quarter of 100 was how I saw 25. What a long time ago that was! Other people get depressed when they turn 30, 40 or 50. I had my depression at 25 so I figure I'll just get older and not fret anymore.
I turned 62 today. I was up in the kitchen with my husband singing 'happy birthday to you' before I remembered. I had baked our special birthday chocolate cake yesterday because the family always enjoys it so much although I don't usually eat any. Our elder daughter and her partner came up to share it with my husband for breakfast as is our tradition. Tonight the family went to her house for a wonderful dinner and the remainder of the cake was enjoyed by our other daughter and her husband who chose it for dessert rather than the panna cotta and berries that the rest of us had.
The thing I enjoy about birthdays these days is the time spent with my family. My girls put in so much effort to make it a special occasion. Although I never expect it, they choose thoughtful gifts that they know I will love. Such considerate and kind people.
My husband is a very talented poet. For many years he has written poems for my birthday and I usually end up shedding a few tears because I am so touched. This year was no different.
I guess I'm lucky that birthdays just seem to keep coming. Lots of people aren't so fortunate. My mother was 87 and my father was 92 when they passed away. If I take after them I've got quite a few more birthdays to go.
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