Reflections on Today – My
Birthday by Debra H. Goldstein

Today is my birthday. It isn’t a special birthday, but it
is another notch in my belt of life. Another year around the sun. And a
reminder that the years seem to each be moving faster than the one before.

 

When I was a child, I devoured books. If it was hot
outside, I preferred to be indoors, where it was cooler, reading. My mother
felt that I needed to get out of the house and play for at least an hour on
those hot days. I specifically remember once, when there were no neighborhood
children to play with (which always took care of the hour plus), I was forced
to entertain myself outside for the hour. I sat on our front stoop periodically
checking my watch only to be dismayed at how slowly time moved. That hour was
an eternity. Today, an hour goes by so fast that it melds into other hours and
the entire day passes before I know it.

 

One other thing I’ve noticed is that I no longer am the
young hotshot. I’ve reached the age where people say “ma’am,” offer me senior
drinks before I ask for them, and at club and organization meetings, I am
respected for my institutional knowledge. The honors coming my way aren’t
titled “Top women under thirty” or “Rising Star.” Instead, they are more like
“Fifty Over Fifty.”

 

Being seasoned has its benefits – seeing my children happy
in marriages and careers; having grandchildren; AARP and other discounts; and
being able to use Rhett Butler’s “I don’t give a damn” line whenever I want.
The sad part is knowing that there are less years left than have passed so
there are things I would like to see or experience that I may not.

 

The latter thought is sad, but I’m not going to dwell on
it. For now, I’m going to happy dance and celebrate this birthday!  (By the way, I’m not Poppy, but I loved this picture of one of granddogs wishing my husband a happy birthday) How do you feel about birthdays?