The Christmas Conundrum

[emerybored]

So my birthday is tomorrow. I'm turning 32. That's really weird to me. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad I'm celebrating another birthday. There was a time when it was possible that I might not make it to my 30s because of my mental state. But it's hard because I'm no where near where I thought I'd be at 32 when I was younger.

Here's the rub: I don't

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[exrem]

So my brother's birthday is on Christmas day as well, and I know it has been hard for him too. On my other brother and I's birthdays every year he would say "They get to open presents on MY birthday, so I should get to open presents on THEIR birthdays." It never worked, but it was a good try. I do understand the importance of making part of it his day too - even now, even though he is 31, we still try to have a birthday cake and separate birthday presents for him. Of course, he usually insists on having it be his 'birth week celebration' anyway, and so he does get kinda spoiled. I am sorry your family is less understanding as you have gotten older. I hope it was a good birthday anyway. I am sure your family thinks you are special even if they don't act like it sometimes. Best wishes!

[emerybored]

Things got better after I tried explaining the weird Christmas-birthday jumble of emotions. They made a special effort to be agreeable. I think the best bit of explaining I did was that it kind of sucked that it was half His day and half mine (or a little less mine, really), and that it would be awesome if it could be BOTH of our days all at once--which is how I think of it. It's our birthday, not just Christ's or mine.

It did help that a bunch of my friends and family on Facebook sent "happy birthday" greetings early enough that I woke up to about 15 Christmas morning.

Anyway, what's a family holiday without some awkwardness and squabbling? ;)