Saturday, July 3, 2021

On my birthday........

 

Well today is my birthday my friends.  I usually don't even mention it on this space because really it isn't a big deal to me but since my lovely blogging friend Kathy B of Compassionknit asked me to warn you all that her blog isn't cooperating right now I thought I would post.  It is bad enough that her letter L wasn't working on her keyboard but now apparently Wordpress isn't behaving.  So there you go if you don't have problems with the letter L then it is going to be something else that drives you crazy. This was the last photo of a 10 year old celebrating his birthday, with a birthday sloth named Sally on his head. 


I usually don't even think about my birthday because I am working.  But this year I am feeling a bit off it being on a Saturday and all.  Well I know my hormones are not balanced so there is that.  And usually I am so grateful to have another birthday because after having cancer 22 years ago and still being here, well that is reason to celebrate.  It might be the weather, come to find out yesterday there is a potential hurricane headed this way possibly Tuesday.  Not a big one, and not one to be really worried about still the barometric pressure might be affecting my mood.  I am prepared as you can imagine with batteries, flashlights and extra toilet paper in case there is a massive shortage for a month, I am covered in that department.


I think I am just missing things the way they used to be.  I miss my parents being here and always calling me on my birthday.  I miss friends I used to have that have drifted away for various reasons.  I miss my two older boys being young and running in and out of the house with friends.  I miss a wrinkle free face and no gray hair although I have truly earned every wrinkle and gray hair that I have.  I miss real conversations on the phone, people calling just to chat and catch up or seeing people I love not just text messages and social media posts. See I'm very melancholy today, but I will snap out of it because I have a 10 year old in a new Minecraft Creeper shirt, here making a Creeper face.  I try to be honest here in this space, not everyday is full of fun and wonderful memories or visiting incredible places.  Sometimes life is just what it is a difficult day or a difficult time for various reasons. 


When I  asked Little Buddy to give me a birthday smile this is what I got.


So my plans today are simple, rest, relax and knit on my fourth Harebell cardigan.  I plan on watching Gilmore Girls because it has been several years since I watched it start to finish and my friend Holly got me interested in it again.  I just finished Schitt's Creek and just loved it.  I am not into watching anything dramatic, scary or full of violence, there is enough of that in the world as it is.  I want to keep my brain free of all that if I can. 


And I plan on spending time with this Creeper guy who really lights up my life especially when I can get him to smile.   He is growing and thriving, my older sons are doing well minus an issue here and there.  We are all healthy, and 22 years ago I was not, so I have much to be thankful for on this birthday and everyday.  

Hope you all have a wonderful day, I am so grateful to have you as friends and grateful you take the time to visit this space of mine in blogland.. 

39 comments:

Lorrie said...

Happy Birthday, Meredith! Melancholy days are due to so many reasons, some of which you've indicated. Regardless, I hope you have a day that fills you with happiness for you a such a wonderful, giving, and loving person. I don't always comment, but I usually read your posts. Enjoy your day!

busybusybeejay said...

Happy Birthday. I hope the men in your life are spoiling you.You really deserve a very special day.Barbaraxxx

Karen said...

Happy Birthday, my friend! Birthdays were hard for me in the years after my mom passed. Eventually it got easier, but it took a while. I'm with you on not watching scary or depressing things. Unless I can be filled up with good stuff or am learning something, I choose not to read or watch a lot of 'popular' stuff. Enjoy your day with your boy:)

Bridget said...

Find what you can to enjoy your day. Happy Birthday - because it is SO much better than the alternative! xoxoxo

Marguerite said...

Happy, Happy Birthday. Sounds like a perfect day ahead. Thank you for all you share, you are a wonderful person.
Best wishes, Marguerite

Grandmabeckyl.blogspot said...

Have a blessed birthday Meredith. Life's not always easy but there's always something good to look for thru the day. Glad there was no hurricane that popped up and hope they aren't too bad this year. I am close to getting prayer shawl done. Take care. 💜🌹🙏🎂

Kim in Oregon said...

Happy happy happy birthday!

Fiona said...

Happy birthday, Ihope you manage to find some enjoyment in your day.

Jo said...

Happy birthday. I can relate to feeling sad that your parents are no longer here, and having cancer 20+ years ago, I could have written this post, but you have a lovely family who are so glad to have you here and who I know you live for now, plenty of things to celebrate, as well as another year on this planet. Wishing you lots more birthdays to celebrate.

irune said...

Happy birthday!!! Some days are more difficult than others but you have a lovely family to give you strength and love.
Best wishes :)

CJ said...

Well a very happy birthday to you my lovely friend. Birthdays are tricky beasts aren't they, inviting introspection and reflection as they do. Mine is generally just an ordinary day as well, so I know how that goes. But I do hope that you have a good day anyway. The first two pictures are absolute gems. And the birthday non-smile of course. One day I shall get on a plane in July and come over there and take you out somewhere fancy. Or we could go down the golf course and look for alligators because I've never seen a wild alligator. Whichever you prefer. OR you could come over here and we could go for tea at the Ritz which I hear is VERY fancy. Decisions, decisions. Give it some thought. CJ xx

Nance said...

Happy Birthday! Every year is a victory now that we are Of A Certain Age and have survived a pandemic and a certain presidency.

No, life is not always a carefully curated social media page. It's real and lumpy and sweaty and makes us fussy and crabby and sad at times. I'm glad that you are one of the Real Bloggers out there with me. It's a relief.

Love from me, always.

Gracie Saylor said...

Happy Birthday, dear Meredith even though life is difficult sometimes. Your youngest son's birthday smile prompted me to laugh out loud :) Enjoy relaxing and knitting on your latest gorgeous cardigan. I am praying for blessings for you and sending you ((hugs))

Eileen in Fla. said...

Happy Birthday to a very special person. Hope your day is full of joy and cake. My BD is tomorrow and I am feeling the same as you. Maybe it's my advanced years, but I am finding it hard to celebrate (along with America) when we've collectively been through so much. Living in America now is like standing in the ocean and wave after wave washes over us and keeps us off-balance. Too much news watching for me! But cheerfulness is a choice that I am working on.

Araignee said...

Happy birthday! I hear you with the mood big events seem to bring on these days. I am a blubbering mess almost everyday wishing to turn back time. I miss my parents, my sisters, my kids....I miss those days that I didn't appreciate as the best years of my life.
I hope Elsa plays nice. We just had a tree come down across the driveway while we were eating dinner on a beautiful sunny day. I hate to think what a major storm could do but like you.....I've got plenty and I mean PLENTY of toilet paper..lol.

Delighted Hands said...

a very heartfelt birthday to you!!! I am down with a sinus headache again-I say that barometer has been gifting them to me right and left lately! I am very grateful you have a full life and look at everyone who is enriched for knowing you!!!

Dee said...

Wishing you the happiest of birthdays!!! Hope there is cake and a big hug from a little "Creeper".

Stay safe .... even little hurricanes are no fun.

Chy said...

Wishing you an amazing day Meredith, and a beautiful year ahead! Hope it is filled with family love and you are spoiled!

Happy Birthday!!

X Chy

Janice Smith said...

Happy Birthday! My birthday was yesterday, July 2nd, and it was one of those big ones that end in zero. Yikes!!!
I am a two time cancer survivor, so the number doesn’t really bother me. As long as I can keep on keeping on, I’m happy.

Betsy said...

Happy Birthday to you dear Meredith. I didn't know today was the big day. I understand what you mean about the day though. I think as we get older, most of us have many of the same feelings. I miss my parents. I've REALLY been missing my Mom lately and I don't know why. She's been gone for well over half of my 61 years now. We've all had so many losses the past year. Time that will never be recovered with family and friends.
I'm so glad you have that little Creeper to give you joy and love and a bright smile. You are very loved. Not only by your family, but by us "strangers" on the internet who have never even met you in person.
I hope you had your special time today to knit, spend time with your family and talk to Claudia too.
Blessings, love and hugs,
Betsy

Babajeza said...

Happy birthday, Meredith. May you have a lot of phone calls, visitors on your doorstep, hugs and kisses and a delicious birthday cake. I wish you a birthday for the book of memories.

All the best

Regula

Between Me and You said...

Happiest of birthdays to you Dearest Meredith. We're above ground and underneath the stars, that's all that matters right now. Happy Belated Double-figure Birthday to your youngest too, how he's grown and such a cheeky monkey face! I inherited the 'stash as much loo roll as possible' philosophy from my Mother so not a problem here if ever there's a shortage!Keep safe in that hurricane, should it land near you. Happy Independence Day and thinking of Teresa today too and how patriotic she was, always flying her Stars and Stripes at full mast! xxx

Between Me and You said...

ps I adored the Gilmore Girls but the new show in town in 'Virgin River' whose new season starts next Friday/Saturday (Netflix). I can't wait. Think you might like it too.

Anonymous said...

the lady above said it best....
" ... everyone who is enriched for knowing you!!! "
that's how I feel too. your work and your ordinary extraordinary life has enriched my own just knowing you here.
and... your precious little Creeper with the sloth on his head... LOLOL!!!
I hope your birthday was Wonderful. YOU have a fabulous attitude.
and That is better than all of it! Many Happy Returns of the day! XOXO

linda said...

Happy Birthday dear Meredith, I hope that you have had a wonderful day. I get exactly how you are feeling, I always feel a bit down on birthdays it's only natural to look back and reflect on the years that have gone. I love the birthday smile Little Buddy gave you haha if that doesn't cheer you up nothing will. Here's hoping the next year will be the best ever for you sending lots of hugs and kisses. xxx

TheAwakenedSoul said...

Happy Birthday, Meredith. Your feelings are understandable. I think we need to talk to close friends on the phone or in person. That intimacy is irreplaceable. Thank goodness you survived the cancer; that is huge. Your knitting looks gorgeous.

Crafty in the Med said...

Happy Happy birthday Mere! I do hope you had a fabulous day. I just know how you feel as time seems to gallop by and the memories of childhood and sweet times gone by seem to fill my thoughts more and more. Nevertheless I don't think that cheeky lil Buddy and those two furry boys of yours give you much time for your own thoughts. You have such a lovely family :-) Keep well Amanda x

Wanderingcatstudio said...

Happy Birthday!

Melanie said...

Happy belated birthday, dear Meredith! And to Little Buddy, too. Birthdays and other holidays can indeed bring out the melancholy in all of us. It's normal to feel that way once in awhile. So grateful you are cancer-free and here with us to share bits of your life through your blog. You are a gem.

xoxo

Marisa said...

Happy Birthday!!I just discovered your blog and I really liked it. :)

kathy b said...

Happy Happy Birthday!! Your son is growing at a rate that is staggering! I don't think I know about your 22 years ago i11ness. I am even more gratefu1 for you . That may not be possib1e. Fireman just said the hurricane wi11 be near you but not too severe. HE better be correct. I suppose you have to be ready for anything. I hope your 4th sweater makes you smil1e this week whi1e the wor1d turns!~
AND THANK YOU FOR THE RE1AYING OF INFORMATION. APPRECIATE YOU

Ellen D. said...

Happy birthday, Meredith! Hope you have a year filled with good health, fun adventures, beautiful knitting, and lotsa love!

wendy said...

Happy Birthday and love Buddy's faces 😀😀

gaia said...

Dear Meredith,
I wish you a happy birthday!

Jodiebodie said...

Hi Meredith! Happy Birthday for the 3rd of July!
I do think of you frequently but have not always been able to visit the blogoshpere or pop a message through. I hope you were able to shake the melancholy by the end of the day. Surely Little Buddy would have done something to raise a hearty laugh from you? It strikes me that we won't be able to refer to him as 'Little' Buddy for much longer. He is growing up handsomely and those mischievous and funny things he does and says are all manifestations of his amazing fighting spirit - yes he was born with that spirit but he also learns it from week after week. Congratulations on 22 extra years for which you have certainly fought with determination and courage. Your birthday is a birthday worth celebrating. Wishing you much happiness and contentment Meredith. Hugs Jodie xxx

handmade by amalia said...

Hope you had a lovely day on your birthday! Someone seems to have celebrated in style.
Amalia
xo

karen said...

happy birthday to you!!!

Jo said...

Happy Birthday Meredith! You have very good reasons to celebrate. :) Jo x

Mrs. Micawber said...

Happy belated birthday, Mere!