In the beginning . . .

 Looks like I'm about a year old in this picture. There is a picture of me at about 6 months - and another at about 3 months - then this one - and one when I look about 3. Then there is probably one for every year of my childhood but they are not labeled and so I'm really not sure. Someone didn't label photos!

I have random, spotty memories of my childhood. They are lovely, happy memories for the most part. I am pretty sure I had a happy childhood - some minor trauma - but forgetting seems to help that aspect.

As I grow older and can't always find the right word, or remember what I came in to say, or forget something I had every intention of doing - I am pretty amazed that I recall as much of my childhood as I do!

I'm waiting for the technology that shows you a video of your life!!

I wonder how much would feel familiar?

On Birthdays

 My May birthday calendar is full of birthdays - close family birthdays, extended family birthdays, friends birthdays, strangers birthdays - lots and lots of birthdays.

And I have a birthday in May. As a child, birthdays were pretty important to me - but they really weren't terribly important in my family. I have not done any research, but I suspect that in times past, birthdays might not have held the significance they do today.

Some of that probably has to do with the fact that many did not even know their date of birth. Before written language and recorded history, birthdays were often a matter of conjecture. Recently listened to a Daily podcast that enumerated the societal problems caused - in our day - by the unavailability of birth - and death - records for a large portion of the earth's population.

So I was delighted many long years ago when my sister planned a surprise 22nd birthday party for me. And my mom curled your hair the night before your birthday - a random pretty hair day was a treat indeed. She also let you choose the dinner menu and cake flavor. Best of all though, you didn't have to do your chores on your birthday.

My grandma Stevens always brought us gifts. Alice had a birthday in April, so she brought them both out in April - they were always the same, just a different color, so the surprise element was muted. But as kids who didn't get lots of new stuff, the gifts were still a delight.

I have been celebrating birthdays this month - in person for several - which isn't always the case - but I love it. Polly's 8th. Lee's 4th, Francis' 8th, Zeke's 2nd - and more to come.

"If I had a wish, then it would be, a happy, happy birthday to you from me!"

A special day in May!

 May 19th is my mom's birthday - and our grandson Lee's birthday too. I recall wishing that I had been born on my mom's bday - they are only 4 days apart. And hoping that I might share a birthday with one of my kids. 

But my mom had a couple of grandsons who shared a birthday with her before Lee was even a twinkle in someone's eye - and it didn't seem real significant to her. And ultimately birthdays are often just another day in the week. 

But it's good to stop and think about someone and their impact on your life. My mom definitely impacted my life - and I would be hard put to be able to adequately explain that impact. Suffice it to say, I think of her often - as the years go by since her death, I think daily of a question I'd like to ask her. Because the answer would be helpful now! Simply reflecting on her life always brings insight.

And Lee is a delightful little guy. I am significantly older than him, and when he's a teenager, I will be pushing 90 so he might not find my presence in his life incredibly significant. But that doesn't mean I can't enjoy watching him grow - he is a beautiful boy - and truly brings me joy with his smile and his chatter and his absolute love of books and puzzles. 

And his conviction that he can do anything he sets his mind to.

May and Birthdays!

 My birthday is in May. My mother's birthday is in May. I have a son born in May, a daughter-in-law born in May, a great grandson born in May. I also have quite a few nieces and nephews born in May. And three grandsons and one granddaughter. And a host of friends who call May their birth month.

I didn't think much about it as a kid. Your birthday is your birthday. But then you have a child born in a particular month and that starts dictating other facets of your life. It's easier to have a birthday party in some months rather than other months. I have a nephew born less than a week before Christmas, so his mother started celebrating his birthday in the middle of July - called it a half-birthday - and the kids who came certainly didn't care.

All families and cultures don't celebrate birthdays - and I have become aware of that over the years. I had a friend whose birthday had always been a very big deal. Her husband came from a family where birthdays were hardly noted. It created conflict. I advised her to just celebrate herself - and we'd help her so she didn't have to get upset every year.

I grew up in a large family - and was one of the older children. There were years when my mom barely remembered - she could usually get a cake made - but not always. She did start a tradition of not having to do your chores on your birthday - and frankly I thought that was better than a present.

I try to remember birthdays. I send lots of cards. I have a perpetual birthday calendar. But as I get older, I start thinking that I won't always be able to do this. And wonder how I should taper off. 

 If you usually get a birthday card from me, you'll know when that happens!