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Friday, May 26, 2006

Today is my Birthday



Today is my birthday. I awoke this morning, as I do every day, with my joints achy and creaking. As I stumbled and bumped my way into the bathroom, I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror. Looking back at me was a woman that doesn't look anything like she did years ago. There are wrinkles where there once was smooth skin, strands of gray hair amongst the brown, and certainly, everything that once was firm and perky is now flabby and sagging!

A few moments after I awoke, our three year old daughter bounced into the bathroom announcing that she wanted a smiley face pancake for breakfast. "...Just a minute, I'll make you some breakfast just as soon as I take my medicine." As I popped my "happy pill" and my "high blood pressure pill" and my "cholesterol-reducing pill", I thought to myself that there are days when I think I'm just too old to be a toddler's Mom. It is true, after all, that most of my friends who are my age are enjoying being grandparents. Or at least their kids are in school and out of diapers. Something which I wonder if it will happen simultaneously in our household as Olivia STILL hasn't mastered the whole potty thing and she's going to be four in one month. I have visions of packing a pull-up in her school lunch bag. (ugh.) Like I said, some days, I just feel like I'm too old for all of this!

A few hours after breakfast, after I unplugged the toilet, wiped up spilled juice, tried to balance what little money is left in the checkbook, helped Olivia blow her nose ten times, started to clean the kitchen and was interupted several times (deciding that it's my birthday, so maybe I just won't do the dishes until tomorrow...) and glanced sideways at our wedding photo - I chuckled to myself as I thought back to the years when I was younger and a little more care-free. In just the five short years I've been married, I've gone from "the most beautiful bride anyone has ever seen with a waist 'this' big" (to quote my cousin) to a middle-aged Mom of a toddler wondering whatever happened to her waist.

I sat down briefly to check my email. What's this? - an email from my dear husband, part of which reads, "...until she rose to look into the mirror. To peer at the image of a woman now one year older. A bit worn from the stress of being part of a business family and the mother of an active three year old; yet strikingly beautiful to her husband..."

Wow. Tears filled my eyes as my heart melted and I fell in love with Randy all over again. This was a time when he got it - just right.

...."Mommy! Puhleeeze come and fill my sippy cup! I want Orange-Strawberry-Banana Juice!" "Okay Olivia, I'm coming!" (smile) Happy Birthday to me.

10 comments:

Pat said...

Thank you for visiting my blog and your incredibly kinds words. YOU blessed my socks off!
I just checked out your blog, apparently I've missed a really good site, and I just added it to my list of favorites.
Your art work is beyond talented, it must be such a source of accomplishment to you. I can't even draw a stick figure!
Your daughter is so darling, they are a lot of work aren't they? I have two grown daughters, there's never a dull moment!
Oh, by the way, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU, and like the old song we used to sing in Sunday school said; 'may you feel Jesus near,every day of the year!!

HARDWAX said...

I read your words. That's a beautiful cake, perfect for you. Happy Birthday!

Janet said...

Enjoyed the post...sweet email from your husband. Happy Birthday!

Janet said...

Thanks for that comment on my post......that's exactly how I felt....like I was in The Twilight Zone!

MD said...

A very happy birthday to you. I love your illustration and sympathise with your "plight".... LOL! If it weren't for the children asking for weird recipes the minute we get up, we would feel even older!!! LOL.
MD

Victoria Koldewyn said...

what a great, happy, lively illustration - and a wonderful story to accompany it! Happy birthday to you, serendipity and everything! (Victoria from LMAO)

carla said...

Happy (belated) Birthday to you! Life brings so many changes our way, and sometimes they seem overwhelming... but it sounds like you have such a wonderful husband and a happy, energetic child who think you're the best! I love the bright and pretty cake you made fopr yourself:>

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday (a bit late)! What a sweet guy you must have. I'm glad he lets you know how special you are. Love your post above this one, too. You're a wonderful, caring person, Deb.

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday to you indeed, May you have many more and feel Jesus near every day of the year after year after year.

Anonymous said...

I am SO with you, dear friend. As I am two years older than you [to the day!!!], and my son is only one year older than your daughter!!! David is 5 now, and he was one month old when we went to your wedding. Praise God for every gray hair, and all the many blessings He has given you. All His best to you and your family!!