DAY 167: Birthdays suck. They didn’t used to suck, but starting this year…they suck. I went into the 31st birthday not even caring, not really even thinking about it and not wanting to make a big deal about it and not because I was all sad about getting old, more because I just didn’t really care anymore…until a friend told me…what?! It’s your birthday…the one day of the year when it should be all about you, you have to celebrate and do something special! And I thought, you know, she’s right, so what if I’m 31 and an adult, I still want to celebrate and I thought I was going to celebrate. Shame on me for listening to her...BIG mistake...HUGE. The Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup on Wednesday and the Celebration parade and rally were scheduled for Friday….my birthday! Exciting, right? So after about 17 hrs of working two jobs on Thursday and 3 hours sleep, we headed to downtown Chicago to celebrate with the Hawks and we did…it was glorious, it was sweaty, it was exciting – it’s something I will never forget, but really, it wasn’t about me…and that’s okay…I’m glad I went, but I wasn’t fooling myself thinking the people out with me were out for my birthday and drinking in celebration of me especially since most of them didn’t even know it was my birthday…no no no…it was for the Hawks – which is what it should be – my birthday is every year, this had not happened in over 40 years.
So after the parade we went to a bar, drank some beers, and eventually headed home with the whole night ahead of us…a night to finally celebrate ME!! Or at least me being born...so, still tired, I fought the sandman and I showered, curled my hair and headed out. Unfortunately, the night didn’t have much in store for me…it had mac and cheese (which was very yummy), an hour nap followed by a night at a local bar with my sister, my boyfriend and one friend where I drank a couple beers and did a couple shots and went home a couple hours later. That’s it. Birthday over after some in person wishes of a happy birthday, a card or two, numerous facebook messages, and well...mac and cheese by candlelight, alone. What happened to cake and candles? What happened to balloons or flowers? What happened to clowns, pony rides, and jumpy castles?? Okay, I never had any of those things, but if I did, I’d wonder where they went! What happened to cards and people joining you to celebrate? What happened to presents with bows and bright colored paper? What happened to excitement and surprise? What happened to it being a special day? What happened to YAY – IT’S MY BIRTHDAY?!!
Yeah, not sure…maybe it’s worn out its life expectancy now that it’s over 30 years old or maybe it’s just hiding? Has anyone seen my birthday? I could’ve sworn we had an appointment on Friday, but it seems to be M.I.A. I know the date has passed, but I’d like to at least know it still exists and isn’t dead in a gutter somewhere being gnawed on by rats. Optimistic spin: If my birthday is dead, does this mean I will never get older??!!
And I know I'm probably being a big baby, well, maybe not BIG, maybe just a little because it could be worse...
Wait....that might not be so bad....
aww, lee. i've learned that if you want to be celebrated, you have to prioritize it and plan it yourself, or it won't happen. i've learned the heard way and i'm not even 30 yet, so what does that say about me?!?! ~kir
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