Birthdays

It’s funny how birthdays roll around from year to year…seemingly coming more often the older you get. I try to keep my birthday on the down low from mass greetings (i.e. facebook is set to never mention it).  But I am grateful that those closest to me make sure to never let it pass without making me feel special.

This year, it was very fortunate that my sister, niece and great nephew happened to visit from out of town. Several of my ski peeps treated me to a wonderful night of dinner and dancing. And then my little friend Burnt Paw arranged a secret surprise that had me guessing until the end… she arranged a goat yoga session for us. Don’t scoff… if you’ve ever loved critters and/or enjoyed yoga ~ you must try it.

But then the melt moment of the year and what will likely be burned into my brain forever was the card that my mom and step-dad got me. To explain some background… we are not the mushy, gushy family. I’m close (not as close as I’d like) with my immediate brood but most aunts, uncles and cousins have drifted apart or passed on. We’re not a touchy-feely gang either, but sometimes that underlying love knows how to show up in a card. Mom’s melted my mascara this year folks…. I wasn’t actually wearing mascara, but you know exactly what I mean, don’t you?

Melted me so hard, that I have to give Hallmark the props and transcribe the card here. This card embodies the person that I aspire to be, and for them to have picked it must have taken hours, or so I thought. Side note that my mom is the slowest decision maker in the world 🙂 Just take her out to eat or shop with her. She takes her slow, sweet and precious time on selecting anything. Here goes the card…and then stay tuned for another sweet surprise!

“I love the spirit of you…the grace with which you welcome each challenge, the childlike wonder that still colors your days. 

I love the originality of you…your willingness to stand out from the crowd… your unique perspective on what’s happening in the world and in your life. 

I love the wisdom of you…the way you trust your intuition..your unfailing commitment to doing the right thing. 

And most of all, I love the heart of you…the genuine compassion, empathy and friendship you offer to everyone you know. 

I guess it’s pretty clear…I love everything about you.”

On the actual date of my birthday, I met just the Momma and ‘Pops’ for dinner and with a little quiver in my voice, I commented to Mom that it must have taken hours to pick out a card so perfect. Pops quickly said “no, it took me about five minutes. I thought it was perfect”. Hmmm….don’t get me wrong, I love that man to pieces but I’ve never seen him be ’emotionally expressive’. None of us are.

Apparently, you can put my bunch in a card section and when the right card opens up… we can express our appreciation for one another with much more ease. Now, if I can only figure out the way to do all my loved ones such justice.  Guess I need to spend more time in the Hallmark aisles.