43 is not an age that I thought I would celebrate. It’s not a milestone birthday, you know, the ones that end in ZERO. Although the past year has been a good one, we’re not swimming in extra income right now, so the plan was to just treat the day as any other.
On Thursday, two days before my actual birthday, Margie sent me a Happy Birthday email. I was shocked that anyone from work even knew when my birthday was. But I was pleased; I felt like my presence in the department was appreciated. I hurried to reply with a big Thank You email of my own.
Before I could hit Send, Dave popped into my cube to ask if I was busy. I said no and sighed, thinking more work was coming my way. I turned from my computer to see him grinning, holding a large gift bag, with Kelli smiling behind him and Zak coming toward us.
I fought back tears as I read the cards and opened the presents, each picked especially for me with love from the people that I spend most of my waking hours with. As I hugged and thanked each of them, I told them how much it meant to me that they had thought of me. I explained that I wasn’t planning on celebrating this year.
Val and AJ joined us. I was repeatedly told that every birthday was important, but more importantly, they had learned from me that every day should be celebrated.
Wow. For once, I was speechless. My perpetual good mood had been noticed, and appreciated! They had used my birthday as a reason to return some of the happiness to me.
Over the next few days, the love continued to pour into my life. A surprise birthday lunch with my closest girlfriends, complete with candles in my cheese fries. Cake Pops, a free drink from Starbucks, flowers, phone calls, text messages, and countless Facebook messages from my family and friends.
My birthday has passed, but my smile remains. I learned my lesson. There is always, always, always a reason to be happy, a reason to celebrate. It doesn’t have to be a birthday or a holiday.
Do something that you enjoy every day. It doesn’t have to be big or expensive. Read a favorite book, paint your toenails, pet your cat. Share your joy every day. Tell someone how much you appreciate them. Smile at a stranger.
How will you celebrate today?
