Day of Birth

My parents are amazing - they parent without judgement, allowing us to make the choices we want on our own (and generally suffer the consequences). I like it. I think I will find it hard to not tell my children what to do all the time. I guess eventually they'll have to learn to think on their own though. I'll need to just let them be adults and stay out of their business.

Okay, that was off topic. I sit here listening to my mom, politely and gently talk to my brother about celebrating his birthday. Also known as a family dinner with a couple gifts. I've heard/had this conversation with her for 20-something :) years. Lately, the answer is "no, mom, we don't have to celebrate my birthday - there's nothing I need". Family dinners are somewhat a pain - it's hard to coordinate everyone's schedules and if i'm going to make the effort, I expect my siblings to do so as well. Therefore, when they have something else going on, I'm annoyed. Well, they're only a pain in the details and actually getting there - of course once we're all together, it's  laughing, dad's jokes, mom's food and a feeling of being a kid again, living in your parents house. It's a room of love. One of the most secure feelings for me is being under the protection of my parents at their home, mom making dinner, dad researching on the internet and telling me all the latest and greatest. I soak it up. Back to birthdays...

As I approach Summer's first birthday, I selfishly want to celebrate this day for me. I did all the work! However, celebrating the beauty and the miracle of life, is what I will do. God gave me this amazing little girl, He created me for her and her for me. He handpicked me to be her parent. That's amazing. God did just that for me, for my parents.

So after listening to my mom's side of the conversation with my brother and imagining my brother saying "No mom, it's okay, we don't have to" (even if he doesn't, he might be feeling that - although i honestly don't know my brothers response) I believe that from now on, I will celebrate my birthday. In a big way - I am my mom's firstborn and she did all the work. My next birthday will be a celebration of my mom, her successful delivery of their most awesome, favorite and best child (i'm just sayin' - so i can say whatever i want). So mom, here's to you - thanks for supporting me (through all the good and bad times), loving me unconditionally and letting me learn from my mistakes. February 25 (April 26, July 20 and November 27 also) is a day for us to celebrate you!

I'm just sayin'.