Yesterday was my 51st birthday. I say this not because I love celebrating birthdays or because the thought of getting older freaks me out but because it was another reminder that we only have this one life to live and I want to live mine to the fullest.
Is it just me or do you rethink life after each birthday? Things like eating healthier, exercising more and saying, "I'm sorry" when necessary just seem to be more urgent. This was not a "milestone" birthday (that was last year) but I have reached the age where each one is greeted with an awareness of how precious a year is.
This one was especially so because it was the first one I celebrated
without my dad singing me Happy Birthday over the phone and it was really tough. I sure miss you daddio...
I know he wouldn't want me to use up precious time feeling blue
but to grab life with two hands and hang on for the ride screaming, "Wheeeeeeeee!", through all the ups and downs it offers.
It shouldn't take a birthday to remind us of that, should it?
xo, Patty
How true, but another birthday is a reason to celebrate our ride! I have a plaque over my desk at work that reads:
ReplyDeleteLife should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming, WOW! What a ride!
I try to live by this daily! So here's to a great day!
Yeah, birthdays do give me pause for thought. I am sure you do miss your daddio singing happy birthday to you this year. Have a great celebration.
ReplyDeleteHappy, Happy belated birthday!!! I always reassess when I have a birthday, too. I try to live each day to the fullest so as not to miss any part of this precious life I have been given. xo Diana
ReplyDeletei wish you a happy birthday. i can only imagine what loss it is not to hear his voice singing your birthday wishes. sending well wishes & big hugs. thinking about ya. take care. (:
ReplyDeleteOh Sweet girl, I am sorry you don't have your dad here with your this year. My mom did always sang Happy Birthday on the phone too. I haven't had a birthday since her passing. Your post reminded me of that.
ReplyDeleteHappy belated birthday. What you said was so true, life is very precious and we should appreciate every day. Lots of love xxx
ReplyDeleteYour attitude is remarkable Patty. GO grab life, and scream "wheeeee" and I will too.
ReplyDeleteHope you had a good day yesterday...and I know it was bittersweet.
: ) Kris
So true, and we should let go of the unimportant things and focus on the good things. My Dad passed 33 years ago and I still miss him. I was feeling my own mortality since I am just 1 1/2 yrs younger than he was when he passed. So I went for a colonoscopy. If this test was around at that time, he might have lived another 20+ years. xo
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday sweet sister! What a great positive outlook for the next year. You are so precious to my heart. Love you, Elsa
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday! Enjoy it to the fullest!
ReplyDeleteHappy, Happy Birthday!!! You are very right, we should enjoy our life and all God gives us.
ReplyDeleteblessings, jily
Happy (belated) birthday!!
ReplyDeleteAnd. you are right...it shouldn't take a birthday for us to remember that every day is a gift.
Sometimes we need little reminders though to get us back on track :)
Sorry about missing your dad singing 'happy birthday' to you.
What a kind thing that was for him to do.
It's so hard sometime to live in this mortal state! How we miss our loved ones, and the sound of their voices and a warm hug.
He taught you right... hang on and enjoy the ride; the precious journey in this life :)
Happy Birthday!
ReplyDeleteIt is amazing what happens to us as we get older & celebrate our birthdays, isn't it? You are exactly right though, each year becomes more precious.
Happy Belated birthday!
ReplyDeleteI am sorry that you had to celebrate your b-day without your dad. I know it is so hard. It does get easier in time.
You are so right that we only have this one life to live and we need to make the most of each day. Don't waste it on hatred or regret. Do the best we can do to help others and to bring Glory to God.
May you have a wonderful 51st year!
Happy belated birthday Patty. I'm very sorry you had a rough day. I'm sure you'll be grateful to hear his voice when you meet again for eternity. Sometimes I think we need days like you had yesterday to remind us that what we have here on earth really is such a short period of time that shouldn't be taken for granted. Here's hoping you'll have a great year for your 51st!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday! You are making 51 look fantastic. It's good to reflect as long as it keeps us looking up!
ReplyDeleteMy mom used to sing happy birthday over the phone to me, too. I had forgotten that until you mentioned it. I'm glad you chose to celebrate life on your special day! ~ Maureen
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday. Go live life and have a fun ride. Make the most of everyday:)
ReplyDeleteWishing you the happiest of birthdays Patty. I understand the silent phone. My dad and I share the same birthday we used to always share a cake too. We would race to see who would call who first. It is strange not having my phone ring. I love your attitude!! Live life. Every single moment. :0)
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday and you sure don't look your age!
ReplyDeleteYes, he would. I have you beat. I'm 55. I'm liking the fifties. It seems to be a "freeing" decade.
ReplyDeleteBrenda
Happy Birthday to you - I'm sorry you don't have your dad this year but I hope you enjoyed your day.
ReplyDeleteI turn 51 later in the year. It sounds like such a big number doesn't it?
Happy Birthday! I am sorry about not having your dad serenade you, but the memories of that are certainly treasures. I haven't hit the 50s yet, but, dang, they're getting close!
ReplyDeleteAnd I have to say I adore the vintage sheet quilt you made. Great combinations and that bright splash on the back is wonderful.
Happy belated Birthday Patty. I'm sure it was sad not having your daddio signing Happy Birthday to you after having heard it for 50 years.
ReplyDeleteYou are doing a great job of reassessing your life.
Happy Birthday. Time flies but celebrating each new year is so much better than the alternative. I have 10 years on you. I have no idea where and when this all happened.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry about your Dad. Mine is in heaven as well The anniversaries are the hardest.
Yes, birthdays always make me think alittle about my life the year before and whats to come in the next year. It only lasts a few days though and then I start taking life for granted again. I do want my life to count though and think about that often as I get older. Happy 51st, Patty. You are a baby yet. My Mom passed away over thirty years ago and I still miss her calling on my birthday. That's how I know she is in my heart forever. Every once in a while I still think I want to call and tell or ask her something. I think you will miss those special times with your Dad for a long time. Prayers for you, my friend.
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday!
ReplyDeleteBoy~~~ I am just a few months behind you ...I bet you graduated high school in 79 like me? or maybe 80 ?
:))
Thank you for stopping by my blog!
xo
Kay Ellen
Yes birthdays are some of the hardest days because your parent's cherished you like no one else.
ReplyDeleteI agree...my birthday is just before New Years and I always seem to spend the day thinking about how precious each year is. Happy Birthday! I hope you celebrate for many days. Bonnie
ReplyDeleteDear Patty I hope you had a wonderful day with your family doing something special. I'm sorry your Dad wasn't there to sing for you but he will always be there in your memories and in your heart. I just turned 59 in January and yes I do think a lot about where my life is going and the changes I need to make to live a longer life. Next week I'll be driving over 40 miles round trip to the YMCA which I quit nearly 2 years ago. Now if I could only leave that chocolate alone! I hope tomorrow is a warn sunny one for you.
ReplyDeleteMaura :)
Happy Birthday! My 50s have been wonderful, hope yours are too.
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday Patty! I am loving my 50s! Retirement, grown children, time to putter, and being more settled are part of this decade for me!
ReplyDeleteFor you, I wish peace, joy, happiness and comfort!
Happy Belated Birthday my friend! I am sorry I was not here to wish it to you sooner. I could agree heartily with everything you wrote on this post, especially the part of missing your dad's birthday song to you. I clearly remember the first year that my dad was not here and crying through my birthday, because of that. It is a heartfelt missing that takes place in a daughter's heart. I love your honesty and your openness. I pray that your 50s are a special time of life for you. I thoroughly enjoy every visit I make to your exceptional blog.
ReplyDeleteHappy belated birthday Patty. I'm sorry about the loss of your dear Dad. Those special days can be such sad reminders. Your Daddy was very lucky to have been loved so deeply.
ReplyDeleteOur b-day's are cery close together. happy Happy belated Birthday to you!!!!! Hope you had a wonderful day! Hugs your way. Mine was the 13th, I turned 40! woot woot...Mica
ReplyDelete