Signs of a Good Day

For at least a few years, I've tried to scale back on my own bday celebration expectations. Birthdays were always a big deal in my family, and I've tried to pass that along and keep the tradition alive... but you know how sometime, when you're the one that usually does something, the favor is never quite returned the way you expect?

The key word in that is: expect. It's our expectations that set us up for so much disappointment. We think we should do this, or be that... or worse, we think THEY should... I've been disappointed with the random minuteness of my everyday life a bit too much. Maybe it's the vestiges of that fall funk. Whatever the case, my bday loomed on the horizon and I gave strong, ah, suggestions to my family: no big deals. No party, no candles, no whatever.

Lately, we've been doing a little "strength-finding" thing at work and it turns out that 3 of my top 5 talents deal with thinking or learning... both requiring time along and focus on something (as opposed to someONE). It was a great reminder of how I can often focus on the idea or goal and not even consider the person involved... or his/her feelings. Hence the bday expectation-disappointment cycle.

Now, I need to tell you that my family is pretty darn cool. Their love for me spills out in all sorts of ways, even after I sometimes take that for granted (so sorry 'bout that). They TRY to meet my expectations, even when they are unreasonable, unfair or full of perfectionism.

But this year, the reason behind the no-big-deal edict was so simple: I'm tired. My job requires a bit of friendliness and open-ness almost all the time, and I don't know if you've noticed, but we've a toddler in the house who has been going through an "all-mama-all-the-time" phase. I think those personality/strength/talent discussions helped me realize this before I got too cranky. So really, I just wanted a break from having to go places and do things and be hospitality and make the plans.

That was exactly what I got. And you know what? It was a pretty awesome day. Multiple phone calls from far-away friends AND family, good coffee, a decent book, thoughtful gifties, flowers, gift cards for later, a very nice homemade meal, some decorations, some time outside in gorgeous weather...

does it get any better than this?

So, for all of you who took time out to make this day awesome...

Thank you.