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blogging101, Creative Writing, Family, Journaling, Memories, Reflections, Writing 101, Writing Prompts
For the second year in a row my birthday got lost (which I wouldn’t mind as much if I didn’t STILL have to get another year older). I’m the head zookeeper of our little menagerie here at Wit’s End Cottage, and as such it has always been my solemn duty to see that every birthday is duly celebrated with appropriate cakes, gifts, and company. (I keep wondering where it said that in our wedding vows…) That being the case, my own birthday is seldom tended to with as much flair and festivities. I mean it seems really pathetic to throw yourself your own party, doesn’t it? And even demeaning to say, “Hey, Lord D, can you do me a cake and a party? And for a gift I would like…” That’s right up there with fishing for compliments! (I must be careful here. I am walking a fine line between honesty and pity party, and the party closet is just within reach!)
I don’t remember what happened last year to derail my day, but this year our family has been in a turmoil because of my brother-in-law’s cancer. My extended family is very small. I have a brother that lives clear across country, but here it is just my sister and me and our youngens. On my birthday in May, Greg had taken a turn for the worst and we ended up helping my sister get him to the Cancer Institute in Salt Lake.
It was by my own choice that I decided to put off having our little family gathering (just for the sake of hearing them sing Happy Birthday very badly and blowing out my candles which are now a 6 and a 4 instead of God knows how many little boxes worth) until Greg was stable and we were all able to be together again. I’m glad to say that after nearly two months in rehab Greg came home on Saturday, and I’m glad I waited for this. I kept telling him I couldn’t have my cake until he could eat it, too!
But in the midst of all that, with well wishes coming over the phone lines, hugs at church, and a card from Lord Drollery, I still felt very blue. I couldn’t help but think it would be so nice just once in a while if someone made a big deal of MY day. (Yes, I’ve had to restock the party closet since May — twice!)
But then something unusual happened. I got a handmade birthday card in the mail. I had NO idea where it came from. No one I know does stuff like that. Inside was a lovely sentiment thanking me for what I do for others, and a $50 bill! I was totally flabbergasted. No, it wasn’t from a stranger, per se, as suggested in this prompt, but the fact remains I still have no clue who sent it. What I DO know is that I hurriedly cleaned up the party room and threw all the paper hats and noisemakers away for the simple reason that someone HAD gone out of their way to notice.
I know that sounds really self-centered. Maybe it is. I’m not normally that way. But that card and those words made me feel I was as special as I always try to make my family feel on their special day. It wasn’t about the money at all (that is stashed away in my jewelry box for safe keeping for a time when I see something I really want to treat myself with, if I ever do), it was about the words and the act itself. And I have to say it’s one of the kindest things anyone has ever done for me.
* * * * *
The Daily Post Jul 1, 2015
Daily Prompt: The Kindness of Strangers
When was the last time a stranger did something particularly kind, generous, or selfless for you? Tell us what happened!
Fimnora Westcaw said:
While I’m pretty (have been, at any rate) at making someone else’s day special, I’ve realized, the best laid plans for my own day, have never materialized. Something somewhere always just goes wrong, so I stopped relying on others to remember I was born, and started to treat myself.
Years ago, This One and That One (from my previous story: https://fimnorawestcaw.wordpress.com/2015/04/09/the-lost-clutch/ ) had decided to have what we affectionately referred to as Audience Participation birthday and holiday celebrations. We’d go to the story together – not a hard thing to do when we spent every weekend in the malls – and she’d point to something she wanted, and I’d buy it for her, and vice versa. It took care of the whole, what can I get That One that I haven’t gotten her a million times?
Anyway, about 5 years ago, I decided that I was going to treat myself for my birthday, and I’d buy the most special thing, that I knew nobody else would even consider – specially if they don’t know I want it. I think, that year it was a Tarot deck which would be my first that I ever used. The next year, I got myself a kindle, and Q was nice enough to participate by hiding it and making me find clues – A Dan Brown like quest – which eventually brought me to my prize.
I’m not a big people person – in the real world. I don’t like parties. I like attention, as everyone does. I like to think that there’s people out there thinking about me, and caring, but that’s pretty much as far as I can take it.
So, while it would be nice to have others take charge, it sets us up for disappointment too often, which leaves only one person who should care more about us than anyone else – ourselves – to do what WE want. If the party thing is what you want, then be bold and brave and throw yourself the biggest party ever! You deserve it!!!
Happy happy happy day
{{{Calen}}}
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calensariel said:
You guys all know how hard a lesson that is to learn after 64 years, right? And I was going to say about your story, if you ever need another clutch (one that’s not going to turn into a mystery!), let me know. I think I have one for every cruise outfit I ever bought! {{{Fim}}}
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Christina Ochs said:
Oh, I should have guessed you were a fellow May-baby! Happy very-belated! 🎂
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calensariel said:
Ok, give over. What’s YOUR birthday??? Maybe you and Ben will be rolling through here one fine May and we can celebrate!!! I do hope to see again before the summer’s over. Any word when you might be heading this way again? {{{Christina}}} I’m SO excited about the book. Can’t wait to order my copy!
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Christina Ochs said:
May 5. It always seems to be Cinco de Mayo! 😀
We’re going to Washington right now, so depending on what kind of load we get heading back, we might come your way. I’ll definitely let you know!
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HeavyCloud said:
Happy belated birthday, Calen! 🙂 ❤
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calensariel said:
LOL Thanks, hon. All these great birthday wishes and tomorrow I get to have my cake (and ice cream) and eat it, too. 😀
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lifelessons said:
Birthdays are special. Don’t feel guilty for wanting to be special one day a year. This year, I faced a birthday alone and i just asked a friend out for dinner, a swim and a movie. I didn’t feel like she even needed to know it was my birthday, but she did discover it on her own, as did another friend…so now I have lunch and dinner to celebrate. I admit, there have been times when I’ve gotten very upset over everyone forgetting my birthday. One year, even my mother forgot it! On the other hand, a friend told me once that I had a sense of entitlement–that lots of people have never had a party in their life. I, on the other hand, don’t think it is wrong to want to celebrate the fact that a miracle happened and we got to be part of this incredible experience (experiment?) called life! Happy belated Birthday, Calen! It is 2 more days before mine. Judy http://judydykstrabrown.com/2015/07/01/unsolicited-kindness/
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calensariel said:
Hey Judy! Yeah, forgetting birthdays has never been a problem at our house. Lord Drollery never forgets stuff like that. Even the anniversary of our engagement! He’s great. My family is one that made a celebration out of everything and LD’s family never celebrated anything. That’s why he loved my folks so much. It’s just been that birthday prep is NOT the most important thing on his agenda! Thanks for the belated birthday. I finally get to have my cake on Friday when my brother is here visiting from Ohio — for one day! In case I forget to tell ya on your birthday, HAPPY PRE-BIRTHDAY, JUDY!!!
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lifelessons said:
Muchas gracias.
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nonsmokingladybug said:
Believe it or not, everybody forgot my 50th birthday for the same reason. I am always the one who arranges parties for all the birthdays. I didn’t like it too much, but had to admit it was my own fault. A year later I had the best birthdayever, I assume I had made them all feel guilty 🙂
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calensariel said:
Dang! Guilt! I never thought of that. I shove all that depressing kind of stuff in the back of the party closet. Then everyone wonders why I’m all teary. I need to learn to be a hell-raiser, I guess. LOL 😀
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nonsmokingladybug said:
People around you are no mind readers. How can they know that you are hurt, if you don’t tell? I learned it a long time ago. I say it as it is 🙂
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calensariel said:
I think in the environment I grew up in, all that ever did (saying you needed something) was start an argument. I had no idea then, of course, that affirmation was a necessary part of well being. But God has put some amazing people in my life since I came here and started to blog. I’m learning that. I always appreciate your thoughtful comments. Thank you, so much.
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nonsmokingladybug said:
I think amazing people have been in our lives all the time, but we didn’t open our eyes to see them. That’s what age does, we walk slower and pay more attention 🙂
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platosgroove said:
You don’t berate yourself for being hungry. Why feel selfish when you simply need nourishment for your soul? Happy today sugar.
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calensariel said:
So I’m learning. Thank you… ❤
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Bare Naked in Public said:
That really is the best gift. 🙂 My birthday was a few days ago and I really truly don’t like a big deal made of it. However, I do wish I had just one special person to celebrate with – that would be nice. Happy belated birthday!
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calensariel said:
You’re right. It only takes one special person doing something just for you to light that sparkler on your imaginary cake. I think we tend to take our spouses (or should that be spices? 😀 ) for granted at times like that, but sometimes the same old same old card is just that, and it can make you feel like part of the furniture. (Gawd! That sounds really whiny and ungrateful, doesn’t it… Don’t mean to be that way. )
Thanks, hon, for the birthday wishes! ❤
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Bare Naked in Public said:
Not whiny and ungrateful at all. It’s just how you feel. We should want to feel special and treated special. Nothing wrong with wanting that. Nothing 🙂
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calensariel said:
We have a mutual friend that keeps telling me that. Hard thing to learn… Thank you.
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