The One Where It's Three Years Old...

My blog, that is...

Amazing.

Happy Blogiversary to me! :)

The One Where I Make A Call...

Not just today, but this whole week has been crazy. In the last seven days, Twinks has been to four different specialists; annual checkups mostly, but it drove home the point for all of us that Normal is still farther away than we want it to be.

Ordinarily, during the course of my day I am busy - moving, doing, working on *something* all the time. There is no shortage of "things to be done" at our house, and I try every day to get something done - something checked off the never-ending list. I feel keenly the weight of family responsibility on my shoulders; Because my Dad installed this damnable work ethic into me at an early age, I am almost unable to take time out of my day-to-day routine for anything that might be described as "fun".

But today, I did.

I spent maybe 10 - 15 minutes at the most doing one of the most selfish things I have done for myself in quite a while.

I called a friend. Mostly just for fun.

I suprised him, and we had a nice little chat. It didn't last as long as either of us would like, there was some information to be exchanged, but aside from that, I just enjoyed talking to my friend.

I found myself smiling all afternoon - mostly because I was able to surprise him so thorougly (and I wish you could have heard the first 60 seconds or so of *that* conversation!) but also because, well, it was just fun. It was wonderful to stop worrying and thinking about everything else - just for that quarter of an hour - and just enjoy myself. Like a little bitty vacation.

So, thanks to you, my friend. You really made my day today! :)

Thim :)

The One Where I am Just a Little Bit Older...

A little bit wiser...

And, yes, even a little bit grayer...

I've had another birthday.

This one (number 48) was probably one of the most low-key birthdays I have ever had. That's OK; I've never been one for big, noisy parties or "events".

Twinks and The Wrench made me a pan of homemade brownies topped with my favorite mocha frosting. I got some great gifts, and we had a lovely evening as a family, all four of us.

Needless to say, with everything that happens on a daily basis around here, I often find myself surprised when faced with something like my own birthday. Once upon a time, my birthday was only rivaled by Christmas - after all, both days meant there would be presents to open, and cake. What more could a kid want?

Then, I grew up and got married. To a wonderful guy. And I found myself looking forward to *his* birthday too, because I enjoyed seeing him having so much fun.

And then, I had a baby. And, suddenly, my favorite birthday was *hers* - and something else happened...

... A whole new world opened for me. No, I did not find The Magical Land of Narnia in the back of my closet, but I suddenly understood so many things I had never considered before.

Like why my Mom and Dad never seemed to mind the many sacrifices I knew they had made for my brother and I.

Like how my Mom could cheerfully wear the same brown coat for nearly 20 winters with nary a complaint, while always insuring that my brother and I had warm coats and galoshes and scarves, hats and mittens.

Like how my Dad would work all day, and come home to work on one of his many home-improvement projects, all the while content to know that he was improving things for his family.

Like why my childhood was as happy and wonderful as it was - because my parents had made it so.

And I realized that somewhere in the future my baby - my Twinks - would have this same epiphany when she held her own children.

Full circle.

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So now, on my birthday every year, I remember to tell my Mom "Happy Birthday to us". I send her flowers, and tell her "Thank You" for everything she has done for me over the years. And I celebrate the day that changed both our lives.

Happy Birthday to Us, Mom.

Thanks.