Eight days until my birthday
How mixed we feel on our birthdays after we grow up. Mine is next week on the 22nd. Me, Rufus Wainright and wait for it, Rhys Ifans. Wonder how they’re feeling. It used to be so exciting, the big cake and candles, presents, surprises, ice cream and jelly. Then it moves into expectations and that ticking clock, the job, the baby, need to succeed.
Another birthday, another piece of cake, we should be grateful and feel blessed of course, but its also that smack in the face with a wet fish, ageing, crumbling, noticing things that weren’t there before if you know what I mean. ‘ From our birthday, until we die, Is but the winking of an eye, ‘ said Yeats, my favourite poet. I have to say as the days move towards next Wednesday I have that foremost in my mind. Time and tide wait for no man. A few months ago I went to South Africa for my uncle’s 90th birthday – he describes himself as being in the departure lounge of life.
While I’ve still got time and hopefully a lot, I’m going to stick to wringing out every moment and think I’ll really celebrate my birthday instead of feeling it could all be snatched away. So back to looking forward to that piece of cake, presents, and anything lovely you’d like to send me.
July 15th, 2009 at 8:38 pm
i can send u a comment if that’s enough from a stranger…
when i was a little girl i used to love my birthday. but when i was very little… somehow, after i turned 10 (yes, TEN, how precocious), i didn’t know what the point was in throwing the big party, it was just another day after all…
now that i’m an adult, birthdays just make me depressed. my birthday is the day that separates me from being old to being older. but that’s just me looking at the glass half empty.
i think it’s a lot of fun people who, even at age… 40, 50, 60… still like to celebrate the day in big style. u just don’t know how to act around them lol.
July 15th, 2009 at 8:55 pm
yes that’s very honest of you, try letting your hair down and really celebrate your next birthday
July 15th, 2009 at 9:01 pm
My 21st birthday is coming up in less than a month, and I honestly don’t know how to feel. It seems like the status quo is to go out to bars and start drinking, but I don’t think I’d enjoy that very much. I think I’ll just play it low key like I have the past few years. Guess I’m not the celebrating type…
July 15th, 2009 at 9:05 pm
It’s Your birthday, do what’s right for you, even though the pressure is there to celebrate your 21st with a big explosion. Maybe you want to do it your way and that’s very cool