I wasn't feeling too great today, and since I leave for Chicago tomorrow, I had lots to do. When a friend insisted that we go out to dinner to celebrate my birthday, I bulked and tried to get out of it. Birthdays are not something I especially enjoy, unless they are for someone else, and only if I get to bake the cake and prepare the food. For me, it's better to give than to receive. That has always made me feel more comfortable. I just wanted to get through the day and not be reminded of how I am another year older. I could never understand the amount of attention you get, just for being born.
At my last job, a fellow employee had the same birthday as mine, so for ten years, I got to share the celebration with her, which made it easier to downsize the attention. In fact, one year the two of us had to go to Seattle on business, on our birthday, and ended up having dinner together that night. It wasn't weird enough that out of a department of ten people, two of us were born on the same day, but to have to be together in strange city, was uncanny. Corporate did have a cake for us the next day, and once again, I got to share the spotlight.
Getting back to tonight, I got dressed, put on my wig and dreaded going out to celebrate. I though that by planning to leave for Chicago the day before my birthday, I could just slip out of town unnoticed, and hopefully everyone would forget about it. We arrived at the restaurant, Cache and I was able to check the bad attitude at the door. This is one of the nicest restaurants in Santa Monica and even though it was almost empty, it had a lot of good energy. Suddenly all my thoughts turned positive, and I was thinking of how lucky I am to be celebrating another birthday, after all I have been through this year. Ever since the technician started crying while preforming my sonogram, I haven't felt too encouraged with my breast cancer.
The two of us were sitting at the bar, I was finally starting to chill out, when all of a sudden, five more of my friends appeared. Not expecting it at all, I was totally surprised and over the moon. Not only did we have a great time sampling every single appetizer on the menu, but they also gave me an Apple gift certificate so I can get an Ipad when they become available. I am so mad, because since I am the one person who always has her camera in her purse, I forgot it the one night I wanted it the most. Because the restaurant was so dark, everyone's attempt to take photos with our phones, failed miserably.
This has been one of the nicest birthdays I have ever had and I am so blessed that I have so many good friends. Tonight meant the world to me. And I didn't even have to go to see Sex and the City afterward!!!! My friends know me well.
Your birthday celebration sounds fab! Birthdays are huge for me, in fact I totally milk it and call the month of August "Birth Month!"
You are so right in counting your blessings... sounds like you have a great family and friends. You're the luckiest girl in the world!
Posted by: deborah mori | June 08, 2010 at 12:08 AM