I’m not into the holidays. I don’t like the disruption to our regularly scheduled lives. Stores are closed. Expectations are high. Not all holidays are super difficult. Some just require hot dogs and beer and firecrackers. Others require weeks of baking, shopping, wrapping, attending concerts and pageants and family gatherings. I don’t like to say it, but… well… Bah Humbug!
There are two days in the year that I adore. New Year’s Eve and my birthday. I like them both for very similar reasons. To me, they are fresh starts. New beginnings.
This is me at 42. Today I celebrate my birth. I thank my mother for having me, raising me and being an incredible role model. My phone pings, rings and purrs as loved ones reach out to wish me a happy day and a great year. Aside from it being Sunday, most stores are open and I am free to choose where to spend my time and celebration.
Today my little family and I went to brunch. My husband had wanted to try a particular restaurant/brewery/distillery that offered a make-your-own-bloody-may-bar. I ordered a glass of champagne. It was before noon, and it felt luxurious.
After my food digested a bit, I met a close friend at the mall. We had Chinese Acupressure massages side by side. These are not sexy, get naked, get oiled while wind chimes play in the background massages. They are get-to-the-heart-of-the-knots-and-problems massages. You can hear noise from the mall and whatever music they are playing, contrasted by the music the massage place is playing.
As our massages were ending, just before the shrill beep of the timer: Auld Lang Syne played on the acupressure speakers. I smiled to myself, with my face smooshed in the padded ring. I thought, how fitting.
When we were leaving, my friend asked if I heard the song. She thought it was so appropriate. *She totally gets me.* She knows that on my day of birth, my very own special holiday, I like to review, plan, dream and scheme. I like to pave a road into the future with introspective reflection and goal setting. From what I can see, I’m thinking 42 is going to be a very good year.
Auda Here 