Ingredients for a good birthday ...
People ask what I did for my birthday. They ask if I did anything special and expect to hear that I had adventures or went dancing in exotic locales or even spent it at wildly amazing parties.
I woke up in my comfy bed and turned on my phone. I saw a few zillion birthday wishes awaiting in my email. I answered a few, then I took a shower. Upon getting out and looking in the mirror, I noticed that my hair is forming "proto-dreads." I got dressed in one of my favorite comfortable outfits and then I went to the dentist. She told me that my dental health had greatly improved over the last year and that the nearly fatal infection I had from about a year ago was gone.
I came home. I prepped ingredients for supper. I put them in the car and stopped at the grocery. I answered more emails. I decided that my original plan to bake a cake was unfeasible in the time allotted. I bought a pastel de tres leches with strawberries.
I went to the doctor. He told me that my health was greatly improved from the previous year and that I have the heart of someone half my age. He told me that some other recent health issues were also on the mend. He approved me to continue working and said that my plans to start running again can get back on track in a few weeks.
I went to work. I made jambalaya for my new crew-mates. I gave them the cake. They enjoyed the food heartily. I got calls from my family wishing me a happy birthday. T played "Happy Birthday" for me on her mandolin; it brought a tear to my eye. S assured me (without need) that I would receive something from her in the near future. A sang to me. I chatted with them, my mother, my sister, my ex, and my father. I worked until about 12:30am. I went home and replied to the rest of my emails before crawling back into my warm, not-too-soft not-too-firm bed.
So, to sum up: my healthcare professionals told me that I am in good health. I heard from a multitude of friends. I worked at a job that I love. I made and ate delicious food. And I spent time talking with my family.
No, it was not the most exciting birthday, but it was good. And if good health, good friends, a good job, a roof over my head, a comfortable bed, delicious food, and a loving family are not enough for me ... then perhaps I need to re-think my priorities.
I woke up in my comfy bed and turned on my phone. I saw a few zillion birthday wishes awaiting in my email. I answered a few, then I took a shower. Upon getting out and looking in the mirror, I noticed that my hair is forming "proto-dreads." I got dressed in one of my favorite comfortable outfits and then I went to the dentist. She told me that my dental health had greatly improved over the last year and that the nearly fatal infection I had from about a year ago was gone.
I came home. I prepped ingredients for supper. I put them in the car and stopped at the grocery. I answered more emails. I decided that my original plan to bake a cake was unfeasible in the time allotted. I bought a pastel de tres leches with strawberries.
I went to the doctor. He told me that my health was greatly improved from the previous year and that I have the heart of someone half my age. He told me that some other recent health issues were also on the mend. He approved me to continue working and said that my plans to start running again can get back on track in a few weeks.
I went to work. I made jambalaya for my new crew-mates. I gave them the cake. They enjoyed the food heartily. I got calls from my family wishing me a happy birthday. T played "Happy Birthday" for me on her mandolin; it brought a tear to my eye. S assured me (without need) that I would receive something from her in the near future. A sang to me. I chatted with them, my mother, my sister, my ex, and my father. I worked until about 12:30am. I went home and replied to the rest of my emails before crawling back into my warm, not-too-soft not-too-firm bed.
So, to sum up: my healthcare professionals told me that I am in good health. I heard from a multitude of friends. I worked at a job that I love. I made and ate delicious food. And I spent time talking with my family.
No, it was not the most exciting birthday, but it was good. And if good health, good friends, a good job, a roof over my head, a comfortable bed, delicious food, and a loving family are not enough for me ... then perhaps I need to re-think my priorities.