My Birthday!

Today is my birthday. It doesn’t feel like any other day except for the fact that I am sick. For the past week my mom has been sick (with the flu) and I, as always, have been taking care of her. Yesterday, after mowing the yards and cleaning the whole house, it finally hit me like a violent smack across the face. I have been on medicine since last night and all it really seems to do is make me feel weaker and sleep more.

People have been asking me what great plans I have for today. Last year I was in New York City and saw a Broadway show. The year before that I was in Fairbanks, Alaska and the year before that we had just gotten home from: Ireland, Northern Ireland and England. My “great” plans for today are: taking care of my dogs, taking care of my mom, taking medicine and sleeping. Sounds like a great time I know. My dad just went back to Afghanistan five days ago and while we should have celebrated my birthday (and my mom’s – her’s is in 2 weeks) early we didn’t. As usual, everything was left to the last minute and he left with a “to-do list” mostly undone and a very messy house. Which I have since cleaned.

My mom and I had discussed BBQing today (since I really like it and rarely get any) but with her sick that was shelved. Then we had discussed driving an hour to a BBQ place I just recently found online and wanted to try, but with me now sick that was also put on the back burner. While we do have the makings for BBQ hamburgers and cole slaw I doubt that we will have even that. I will probably just make some frozen meal. As for a cake: since I didn’t buy/make one myself I am sure there won’t be one.

People also ask me what I got for presents. Again, in years past I received many great things. This year I got: a handful of birthday cards (anyone who knows me knows that I love getting cards even more than presents), a birthday post card, candy from Germany, some movies, books, a gift card and money. My parents gave me a card. I know that mail can be slow and all my friends and family live out of state (and some out of the country) so I could still get something in the mail a little later.

I have also received 1 e-card and many posts on Facebook, but not one person has wished me (either in person or by phone) a “Happy Birthday.”

As you can see this has been a pretty dismal birthday in many respects. As of right now, I simply want to go to sleep and forget this birthday ever happened and hope that next year will be a little better (it couldn’t be much worse.)

Note: It is now 9 pm (4 hours since I wrote this post) and I have received two phone calls wishing me a "Happy Birthday." One was my sister and the other a friend. Both said I sound sick and awful. It was still nice to be remembered.