Thank Heavens for 1/2 Birthdays!

I'm finally at a good place mentally to write about my 40th. I'm still more than fine with turning 40, but the actual date was something else....

We have a standing tradition that there is some flexibility as to when we celebrate. Sometimes we've spread out celebrating over a week due to work schedules, trips, etc. In the case of my 40th, someone was sick in the house nearly every day that week. As I've already mentioned, things were messy around here.

So, my birthday came up and it started off great. Lots of birthday notes, wishes, a couple surprise visits, cannoli (chocolate covered mini's are my new favorite treat---better than cake!)...so fun! After Wayne got home from work, our family went out to dinner and the kids all behaved; it was wonderful....no messy kitchen, no dishes to wash, no coaxing kids to eat, etc.

We pulled in the driveway and Wayne said, "Everyone go to the family room!" The kids gathered 'round, and as I walked in the room, Thomas threw up---in a huge way. I hurried him to the bathroom where he threw up all over the floor, all the while apologizing for getting sick on my birthday. I felt so bad for him. We were all gagging, so I cancelled any dessert party. Wayne was busy cleaning up the front room while I was on my knees cleaning the bathroom thinking, "This is what I signed up for." ...and as gross as that moment was, right there I felt completely satisfied with my choice to be a part of this family through thick and thin. (Although I saved my birthday cannoli for breakfast)

Although he wasn't feeling great, Wayne took me out on a birthday date on Saturday. As we sat there reviewing the week and my birthday, the barf toll was at about 35, including locations like the grocery store floor and all over Christina. Clearly there was no party at our house, so I asked, "Can we just scratch that celebration and do something fun like go to the beach on my 1/2 birthday?" Wayne was on board (& I sensed relief too).

The moral of this gross story is, sometimes the pressure of making YOUR day full of celebration is just not going to happen for one reason or another. Sometimes your birthday week may be out of the question as well. Sometimes it's best to pick another date all together when the sun will be shining and it's not the middle of stomach virus season. I'm starting a new family tradition of celebrating my birthday in July from now on....and now my future grandkids will know why.

Healthy Wishes to all,

Rebecca