Thanks for the Birthday Wishes

When your anniversary and your birthday are on back to back days you get a lot of love concentrated into a short period of time. I start to feel guilty that these two days are all about me and me and Russ. When I planned our wedding the day before my birthday was the only Saturday where both the church and my mother’s club were available so my hand was forced.  
In years before social media it did not matter to anyone besides Russ and me that I had back to back celebrations. Then I had Carter and the triple whammy was created, anniversary, birthday, Mother’s Day. Poor Russ he would pull out his hair to try and find gifts.
Now I don’t care a thing about gifts. I got needlepoint and that made me happy. The best part was Russ made my envelope out of Needlepoint letter patterns which was quite an arts and crafts project for him.  The world of Facebook makes your birthday and anniversary a much more public event. I heard from close and dear friends to far off acquaintances who I may have met once, but still wanted to wish me a happy birthday.
It is down right hard to be productive on your birthday these days. Between texts, and email and the old fashion phone calls. One of the highlights is I got to catch up with my birthday sister, Tricia, who was one of bridesmaids that I share a birthday down to the year with. Thanks to all of you who reached out and thought of me. The Dana show will be over soon, no more anniversaries for another year.
My Dad called and told me that 56 years ago at that moment he was drinking Rum Stingers with my grandmother at a Polynesian restaurant because the Doctor had told them that nothing was happening with my mother’s labor. That was the first time I had heard that story. I guess at 56 my father feels it is OK to tell me he was having a drink waiting for me to be born. I probably could have guessed that, except for the Polynesian restaurant part.
It was a great day of Mah Jongg with fun friends. Christy brought coconut cake from Thai Cafe that we had after I had won more than my share of games. I also got a beautiful orchid from Carol, a darling needlepoint canvas from Christy and a Birthday Kringle from Mary Lloyd. Carter gave me a painting and needlepoint. Then dinner with Russ and Carter and “surprise!” more coconut cake.  
Thanks for a wonderful day. I will be stretching out the birthday celebrating a few more days. There are things I want to do under the guise of “it’s my birthday” but for now I just appreciate all the birthday love that came my way today. You really only get to do whatever you want to do for one day and I took full advantage of it. Birthday wishes to my friends and family I share this day with, Sarah, Gussy, Tricia, Beth, Ashley and all the other May 3 babies. It was a beautiful day.