I think I might really hate my birthday now. I told my husband that I really don't like my birthday anymore. It brings nothing but disappointment. And actually, I have never really liked it.
This isn't a new concept for me, me being disappointed. Growing up in the Chicago/Milwaukee area, the day used to be dingy, dark, and possibly accompanied with cold rain. As a child, my parents did not have a lot of money. My gifts were never extravagant. I never had birthday parties. But I am okay with that. I understand the difficulties.
These past 14 years, we have creeped our way further South. The days are nicer. But as an adult, I have had the privilege of my family "forgetting" my birthday. There is more often, than not, an empty mailbox. Definitely devoid of a gift...most of the time, not even a card.
My husband does not win any prizes in the birthday department. He is often out of town...much like he will be this week. I guess that is what happens when you have your birthday right before Thanksgiving. Business must get done before we sit down to eat turkey!!! I cannot recall a single memorable gift that he has given me.
Except........last year's. He and the boys went shopping for a charm bracelet at one of my favorite stores James Avery. They bought five heart charms. One for each of them, the three boys, my husband, and they even included my darling baby girl! They chose a plain heart so that her name could be engraved on it. It is so beautiful and a day never goes by that I am not wearing it.
But still.......I dread my coming birthday. I should have a bouncy one year old blond baby girl in my lap. I should be anticipating her first step or if she was like her brothers, she would be already running and I would be chasing her these coming holidays. We should have been sharing this month for our birthdays, like I share it with my mother. Instead, she was born in October because we both were not doing well. Instead, she is in an urn, instead of in my arms.
I really don't have high expectations for this week........
Oh, Heidi. I don't know whether it's worse to know that it's coming or to be blind-sided. I was blind-sided on my birthday in August. I should have still been pregnant. I think that my anger and disappointment with myself, which I hadn't felt that I could acknowledge, just hit me like a ton of bricks. I didn't feel worth celebrating. I hope your birthday was better than you had anticipated. I hope that my next one is better, too.
ReplyDeleteLast year, it blind-sided me. Yes, the anticipation was worse, but there was still a general ache, yuck feeling all day. It seemed everyone ELSE was more excited for the day, than I.
ReplyDeleteI honestly don't think it will be fun...ever.....