Blowing Out the Birthday Candle

The Birthday – the milestone event of another year. I told Susie Lindau, the Wild Rider that I would blog about this day and then I proceeded to panic about it all week long.

This is why I write fiction. I’m no good with real life. My characters say it so much better than I ever could.

When we’re little, we get excited for our big celebration. It means cake, ice cream and presents. If we’re lucky, lots of gifts.

Older now, some of us still hold on to that beautiful child-like quality; turning into a ball of energy as their annual date nears. I am not one of them. I usually remain quiet, failing to acknowledge the day. Maybe then I won’t age.

Yet Immortality has yet to find me. Ignoring birthdays hasn’t helped.

In the absence of an immortality elixir, what suffices for that long, happy life? I might suggest getting out and having fun!

 

Play in the rain and mud.

PlayintheMud
Performing on a muddy field in the rain can be hell of a lot of fun.

Pretend to be something you’re not and dress-up.

DressUp
Do you think I can smell better with that nose?

Don’t be afraid to be a little goofy.

DoSomethingCrazy
Maybe I can tell you your future. 😉

Let amazing friends pamper you every once and a while.

Friends
The fabulous Christine Ashworth and Tameri Etherton treat me to lunch.

Try new and fun places and locations.

new places
Went to Paris without leaving the states. It said “Paris” on the window.

Most importantly, celebrate every day of the year!

Birthday cakes2
Yummy cakes and sweets to celebrate!

Love and laughter help keep the heart young. Nothing reminds us of that more than friends and family. Make time in your schedule for fun. You’ll be happy you did, and your body will thank you.

The Amazing Tameri Etherton recently celebrated her birthday. She asked everyone for a cup of water for those in need. You can still do that, by the way. What a fantastic lady and a great cause!

Susie Lindau also just celebrated her birthday. She gave us some great ideas on how to ring in another momentous year.

I lugged a car load of bottles and cans to the recycle center last weekend. This weekend I’ll haul all our electronics to the planned pick-up site and schedule our hazardous waste (old paint and batteries) pickup. For my birthday I ask that you be earth conscious. Think of Gaia and recycle. Use reusable bags when you shop. I love the cool designs on my bags. I use them over and over again. Julia B. Whitmore can tell you more about that, here and here. Every little bit makes a difference. Thank you, my friends.

Kelly says it well here, live each day to its fullest. Celebrate life and enjoy the moments—everyday.   🙂

What do you do to stay young at heart? Do you get giddy like a child when your birthday is approaching?

~oOo~

Thanks for stopping by! I truly appreciate your support. Until next time, au revoir.

Have you subscribed to this new blog yet? If you enjoyed this post I’d love to have you sign up to receive future writings by email. All you need to do is enter your email address at the above right and hit the “Subscribe” button.

26 thoughts on “Blowing Out the Birthday Candle”

  1. Krystal WadeKrystal Wade

    Did I miss your birthday? OMG. HAPPY BIRTHDAY! I don’t get the same excitement from birthdays that I used to. I stopped counting after 25. I think I’m 28. I may have been 28 for a few years now. Maybe 5 or 6. I lose count because I don’t care. I feel young. That makes me happy.

  2. Emma MeadeEmma Meade

    Happy Birthday Debra. I usually just let mine pass me by and pretend the getting older thing isn’t happening. Enjoy your day with family and friends.

  3. Coleen PatrickColeen Patrick

    Love the photos! Wishing you a happy, healthy, and successful year!!! 🙂

  4. Tracey LivesayTracey Livesay

    I loved the photo retrospective! lol The fanny pack is always a brave accessory! Happy Birthday, Debra!

  5. Lynn KelleyLynn Kelley

    Great photos, Deborah! My fave is the fortune telling pic. So you don’t have fond memories of your fanny pack? LOL! I have the coolest fanny pack (I always called them hip pockets) and I can fit as much in it or more than in some of my purses, and it has lots of compartments and I can keep everything organized. I don’t like to wear it around my hips, though, because they’re out of style, so I carry it around my shoulder, but it’s great for traveling. I took it to Pittsburgh last summer for a family reunion. I was kind of embarrassed, but I’m old enough to get over it and so I took it. I thought it was funny as heck when my sister-in-law saw it and asked me where I got it because they’re coming back in style! Haha! I hadn’t heard that, but it made me feel better.
    I don’t get excited about my birthday, except that I’m thankful for another year. It’s more fun celebrating little kids’ birthdays and watching the excitement in them!
    I hope you have an awesome birthday.

  6. Kim GriffinKim Griffin

    Happy BDay, Debra!! I hope you had a fab day 🙂 Love the pics.
    and you’re right ~ fun and laughter keep you young. Just ask Betty White, right?

  7. Laura RitchieLaura Ritchie

    I was never troubled by birthdays. Age seemed like nothing more than a number to me. Then about 5 yrs ago, while awaiting a flight, I was approached by a security guy, who asked if I’d lost my camera. He said it belonged to an older, blond lady.

    What the flip??? What did he mean by that?

    The guy HAD to have at least 10 years on me. The idea that he considered me to be “older” was more shocking than if he’d walked up and hit me in the face with a shovel! Anyway, the whole thing left me a little touchy about age for a year or two. But, I’ve finally gotten over it, for the most part, and should be fine… as long as I stay away from airport security.

    You shared some great pictures, Debra. Thanks. And I hope your b-day was pleasant. 🙂

  8. Pat O'Dea RosenPat O'Dea Rosen

    Happy Birthday, Debra! I can’t think of a better time for your “celebrate life” message.

  9. Marcy KennedyMarcy Kennedy

    Happy birthday! I love birthdays. I get to eat whatever I want, and people give me presents. Not sure it gets better than that 🙂 I’m still fairly young, though, so we’ll have to see if that changes the older I get.

  10. Sheila SeabrookSheila Seabrook

    Belated happy birthday, Debra!!!

  11. Christine AshworthChristine Ashworth

    I can’t believe I didn’t comment earlier! I LOVE these photos (even if I’m partial to the one with Tameri – ahem). You totally deserve a huge wonderful happy birthday WEEK and I am SO glad we’re friends. Sending you huge hugs…

  12. Diana BeebeDiana Beebe

    I’ve had this up for days! I’m so glad you had a great birthday. The pictures are awesome! I think everyone should forget what their age is–it’s just a number anyway. When I turned 25, I stayed there for several years. Only when I’d have people wonder how I’d been married for as long as I’ve been did I raise that number. 😀

  13. Kristy K. JamesKristy K. James

    Glad your birthday was good, even if it was quiet. By the way, you can change your FB preferences. I’ve set mine so the birthday doesn’t show up, which is fine with me because I prefer to ignore the day. It’s ruined this year anyway, since they changed the day Iron Man 3 is coming out. 😉

    By the way, you look MUCH better in the fanny pack than one my daughter’s classmate’s father did. I’m not going to describe the site, but he wasn’t built for one of those things. It wasn’t pretty. 🙂

  14. jessica lewiscojessica lewisco

    this is worth appreciation, keep doing the good work and thanks for sharing.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

CommentLuv badge