My 38th Birthday

Today, I marked the end of my 38th year of life -- on to year 39! Oh for cryin' out loud! I can remember that as kids, my sister and I gave up counting our parents' age at 36. I'm older than my parents!

So, what did I do today? I raked leaves. An extra large yard covered almost completely with the leaves of our dozen-or-so oaks. It was glorious! I put on my headphones, set my MP3 to play some of this season's Texas Bach Choir practice pieces -- my very favorite being the Pachelbel Christ Lag In Todesbanden -- and raked leaves in the gentle breeze. I don't mean to sound overly-dramatic here, but it was really beautiful. I'm glad I allowed myself that luxury today. Usually I am vehemently against deafening one's self to others by way of the medium of a personal music system. But I do it when I'm exercising, and this was exercise. I estimate that I raked in intervals for 3 or 4 hours. The yard looks great and I enjoyed doing something productive after spending 9 days in the decadence of vacation whimsy and amusement.

After a full day's yard work, and only because we chose yard work over dinner prep, we ate at my favorite: Pei Wei (prounounced pay way). I had the "Blazing Noodles." After that, it was home for the traditional Baskin Robbins ice cream cake with mint chocolate chip ice cream, of course. Gift time brought me a pretty white cotton nightgown from the girls -- the roomy kind with subtle embroidery on the bodice. Husband bought me a crystal figurine of Cinderella waltzing with her Prince. It joins the gorgeous snow globe Husband gave me for Christmas in 2004 after our first trip to Disneyland. I like Cinderella best. I like the way her Prince rescued her from a life of loneliness.

I wasn't lonely this evening. It doesn't usually happen, not even on my birthday, but tonight the phone was ringing off the hook! This afternoon Aunt #1 called. Later Cousin called to serenade me with the "happy birthday" song. After dinner, I came home to a message from Dad. Wow! He hasn't initiated a call in years! I called Mom to get his cell number, and then Sister called. Then Aunt #2 called. Then Mom called again, but I begged off to continue talking to Aunt #2, whom I hadn't heard from in forever. I should have hung that call up earlier than I did; her efforts to exhort me toward Godly love to my unbelieving parents made me feel defensive, hopeless and misunderstood. She was speaking sweetly, but speaking out of her ignorance, nonetheless. She isn't privy to the rude details of our relationship. She doesn't understand that I am at a loss! Often enough, the very things Husband and I do in an effort to show honor and appreciation have actually been the source of great offense. We're better off to scoot along the walls and pray for my parents privately.

All in all, sans that last conversation that only served to hold up the gift giving festivities, it was a really nice day.