Someone’s birthday is this week. I asked him what he wanted to celebrate the feast day of his nativity. No, he didn’t want to go out to dinner or cook something fabulous at home. No, he didn’t want a birthday prize (he counts his as such the newly purchased fit-bits). And, no, he didn’t want cake. He is working that night anyway. As The Firesign Theatre says: “Why he’s no fun, he falls right over.”
I like birthdays – mine and everyone else’s – filled with foudroyant festivities, which includes cards and prizes, and (if all goes well) good food and drink in the company of others. I call or send greetings via FB to all my know.
We are at opposite ends of how to celebrate a birthday, but the bottom line is the birthday boy gets to ‘celebrate’ the way he wants to. Nevertheless I will get Someone some sort of token prize and surprise him when he comes home with a bit of carrot cake (his favorite) and comfort food.*
Regardless how one passes the day, I think all of us should pause on our birthday to commemorate we have survived another year. Despite everything we still stand. I tell my doleful patients bemoaning they are another year older I know many people now dead who would have given all to be alive at their age.
On you birthday I recommend playing a version of “I’m Still Here”. For Spo-fans unfamiliar with this song, it is from Mr. Sondheim’s “Follies”. At a reunion an aged actress relates all the highs/lows of her life, repeating “But I’m still here”.
It is a good thing to recall once in a while, especially on a birthday.
*Crockpot macaroni and cheese sounds good.
36 comments
December 12, 2016 at 9:24 AM
Willym
hmmm… not available in our country… but we’re here!
December 12, 2016 at 10:35 AM
Urspo
Good !
December 12, 2016 at 10:03 AM
Dave
My own birthday falls on Inauguration Day every four years (or vice versa). This year, it’s going to be a considerable effort to fend off the ‘sad’ and bring on the ‘happy’ under the circumstances.
December 12, 2016 at 10:35 AM
Urspo
Keep in mind you will survive ‘him’. Presidents come and the go. You stay.
December 12, 2016 at 10:04 AM
RuralBeard
I love birthdays and birthday celebrations. I often wonder, for those that say they don’t like birthdays, if nothing were to occur, would they miss the natal hoopla.
December 12, 2016 at 10:36 AM
Urspo
Good for you for being so with birthdays!
December 12, 2016 at 10:20 AM
Raven~
We follow a liturgical model for our birthdays: the time of Preparation, the Vigil (also known as “ForeFeets”), the Festal Day, the days of the Feast (about a week), and the Leave-Taking of the Feast (also known as “Happydosis”).
December 12, 2016 at 10:31 AM
Willym
Really as it should be .. always loved the Octave Days concept in the old church calendar.
December 12, 2016 at 10:40 AM
Raven~
Yes, the pattern is based on the Octave, supplemented with Eastern Orthodox praxis.
Observing John’s birthday has become quite complex 😀
Our “first anniversary” falls on Feb. 2 (as you know, also Feast of the Presentation), his birthday is Feb. 8, our “second (i.e., marriage) anniversary falls on Feb. 12, the Leave-Taking falls on Feb. 15. Provided that we’re both well (and that’s a miracle in itself) we try to observe it all!
December 12, 2016 at 10:44 AM
Willym
I always loved Candlemas – for many years I was always MC for the high mass in my Parish. ah those wonderful old feast days.
December 12, 2016 at 10:36 AM
Urspo
What a splendid way to spend the birthday. Sounds spiritual as well as festive.
December 12, 2016 at 10:44 AM
Raven~
Indeed, it is spiritual … see my reply to Willym above.
Not only are we following a spiritual pattern, but both our birthdays fall in close conjunction with significant-liturgical events.
My birthday falls close to Samhain/All Saints, and the time of the Great New Moon.
December 12, 2016 at 6:53 PM
Kato
Yes. That does sound splendid – providing a spiritual rhythm to personal milestones. The church I attend is very low and pays little attention to the old church calendar. My boys are so happy their I have no desire to move. I would like to become more aware of traditions especially those that have occurred over time and place.
I’m a greater believer of marking birthdays and significant milestones even if it is often in a low key way.
December 12, 2016 at 12:03 PM
anne marie in philly
mac & cheese…add bacon or lobster for a good time!
December 12, 2016 at 1:33 PM
Urspo
The good man at “Call Me Trav” has a recipe I shall try this week on the birthday boy.
December 13, 2016 at 4:34 PM
anne marie in philly
if it works, please to be sharing the recipe with those of us who have crock pots!
December 12, 2016 at 12:24 PM
larrymuffin
Despite his protestation to the contrary, you are wise to have something for him. He will appreciate it for sure.
December 12, 2016 at 1:33 PM
Urspo
I think this wise indeed.
December 12, 2016 at 2:22 PM
Old Lurker
I am glad other people enjoy their birthdays, but in this matter I am more Someone than Spo. Too many bad things have happened around my birthday, and like your patients I bemoan getting older if only because it means others are aging too.
December 13, 2016 at 7:52 AM
Urspo
many people feel your way, indeed.
December 12, 2016 at 4:46 PM
David
I am lucky to be alive and well, but the celebrations are usually kind of of low key.
December 13, 2016 at 7:51 AM
Urspo
E-flat?
December 12, 2016 at 4:58 PM
Steven
I always think of friends who are no longer alive when “doom and gloom” enters my mind. But so many people I know also seem to have the same sentiments that Someone has regarding birthdays.
December 13, 2016 at 7:51 AM
Urspo
Yes, they do. The folks who celebrate and thems who don’t are certainly at odds, like extroverts and introverts.
December 12, 2016 at 6:14 PM
Jimmy
I go gambling on my birthday. The bright flashing lights with bells and whistles is very festive.
December 13, 2016 at 7:50 AM
Urspo
Bedazzling birthday indeed!
December 12, 2016 at 11:05 PM
wcs
Happy Birthday to Someone! May he enjoy many more.
December 13, 2016 at 7:50 AM
Urspo
I shall pass on to him your salubrious salutations!
December 13, 2016 at 4:51 AM
mitchellismoving
Oh, how I love “I’m Still Here”!
December 13, 2016 at 7:49 AM
Urspo
Me too!
December 13, 2016 at 10:45 AM
Hugh's Views and News
Thank goodness I only have a birthday once every four years. Once I passed the age of 6, I wanted to forget that I was getting older. Now I get to forget every three years (if you see what I mean?)
December 13, 2016 at 12:24 PM
Urspo
I see; I connect the dots. You have a leap year nativity.
December 13, 2016 at 11:49 AM
rjjs8878
I didn’t have any issue turning 30, 40 or 50 but with 60 just around the corner I find myself in a panic. I don’t want to be 60 as I still feel thirty on the inside. I should be thankful I’m alive given I was told I had AIDS when I was 27.
December 13, 2016 at 12:24 PM
Urspo
Good for you! Each birthday is a special celebration then, is it not?
December 13, 2016 at 12:44 PM
rjjs8878
Indeed, they are.
December 13, 2016 at 4:36 PM
anne marie in philly
honey chile, 60 ain’t nuthin’ but a number; trust me, I know!