Good Thing I Can Count Really High.

November 6, 2009

You may have heard somewhere around the internet…today is my birthday.

Last year on this day, I turned the Big 4-0. I posted about counting my blessings, and I ended with:

So, Forty? Look out, because I’m going to totally kick your a$$.

I’ve gotta be honest. I think I did that. It was a really good year!

I’m still counting my blessings; I try to do that daily (some days are harder than others, but I think that’s pretty normal!) In my reflections recently about this birthday, I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about the people who surround me. I’ve been asked several times this week, “Are you excited about your birthday?” “Are you ready for your birthday?” “Big plans for your birthday?”

No, no, and no. But that’s how I want it. As long I’m with the people I care about, I don’t need big, explosive plans. I’m at the age now where, although I could totally throw down much better than I could (or wanted to) in my 20’s, keeping it simple is the way to go for me. “Simple” means that all I need is love and good company. Corny? Maybe. But these days, people are the most important elements of my life.

I have always been very lucky in that I make friends very, very easily. Moving from the Chicago area to Ft. Worth when I was ten and then to Knoxville when I was twelve seemed difficult for me at the time, but looking back, I’m thankful for the friends I quickly made upon arriving in each new town.

It was awesome to be in the same high school (in Knoxville) for all four years. I knew so many people; it was wonderful. When I was a Junior, I was a part of a super, tight-knit group of Duran Duran-lovin’, New Wave ridin’, MTV watchin’, British Invasion embracin’, neon-colored clothing wearin’ friends.

mwbday+1984

Here are most of us at my sixteenth birthday party, one of my favorite birthdays ever. And yes, we were posing that way on purpose for the camera. (The one who looks like he’s sleeping? I believe that was an error in timing.)

Those people with those goofy expressions in that picture were, besides stalking meeting and dating Jim, the best darn thing about high school for me (and I LOVED high school, so that’s saying a lot!). I loved being a part of that group, and it’s a time I’ll never forget; it was one of the happiest times in my life. I have group memories and individual memories with each and every one of those people. If you’re a regular reader, you’ll recognize Kate in the photo there, who is still my best girlfriend, and due to the technological development that is Facebook, I am back in touch with the other three girls plus my friend who actually took the picture!

After high school, and after getting married, I had a smattering of friends here and there wherever we lived. I met Dawn (love her long time) along the way, and I treasure her friendship so much. (Personal note to Dawn: New Year’s Eve 2009! Can’t wait! Woooo!)

I’ve lived in my current town here in the Chicago burbs since 1995, the longest I’ve ever had roots down in one place. I’ve got great friends in all different departments of my life: the temple, the health clubs, the neighborhood, the other parents at school, lacrosse club, and so many more.

And then, over the past couple of years, I’ve met so many fabulous people through this blog. I’m a part of this really cool community here, and I’m so blessed by that.

Back to my birthday (it IS all about me today, you know) and my friends. On Wednesday I got an early birthday wish on Facebook from one of the people in that photo up there. The Birthday Calendar application, for some reason, had my birthday on Wednesday. Whatever. (stupid app) So she was the first person to send me the wish. And that’s how it started.

Then yesterday morning, I woke up to this on Facebook, from the Microblogologist:

microbday
And then, yesterday evening when I was at the mall, I got a tweet from my German twin sis Kat, on my cell phone:

katbday
Last night, a few on Twitter were, uh, all a-twitter about my birthday, and I woke up to an inbox full of well wishes too, from my online AND IRL friends and family. I already know that my mom will call me by 7:30, which would make any other person nuts but as she giggles and cackles about how early she’s calling me like she does every year, I will remind her that I’m the one who is the morning person* and I don’t mind the early call, like I do every year. I’ve got a nice Fab Five dinner planned, and it’s going to be a great day.

I know how lucky I am to have so many friends on every one of the 365 days of the year, and I feel 100% more blessed on my birthday when everyone comes out to let me know I’m in their thoughts. All of this attention could spoil a girl, you know. But don’t worry; I’ll keep my head about me because I’ll be busy counting all day long…

“Count your age by friends, not years,
Count your life by smiles, not tears.”
— John Lennon

*My sister did a post about this that’s hysterical. Click here for it, and click here for the youtube video: the one in her post currently isn’t clickable!
E0EBC2C8393DAD4423FE9417A308918D

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24 Comments

  • Ri, the Music Savvy Mom

    November 6, 2009 at 1:12 pm

    So, you're only 41? PFFFFTTT! You're a BABY!!!

    (I'm 42. And, dude – from your description, we would have SOOO been buds in High School, too…)

    Have a WONDERFUL Day, and keep that sunny smile all year long!

    xoxo

  • CK Lunchbox

    November 6, 2009 at 2:31 pm

    Duran-Duran? I'm going to pretend I don't know what you're talking about…(innocent whistling).

    The bloggosphere is magical place with all manner of great people such as yourself.

    Happy Birthday!

  • Eternal Lizdom

    November 6, 2009 at 3:37 pm

    Happy happy happy birthday!! I hope the day continues with the fun and frivolity of the cast this a.m.!

  • MaNiC MoMMy™

    November 6, 2009 at 4:22 pm

    Ah, this is such a nice post! It's so true, friends are the most important thing–that, and family, and you've got both of those covered! I'm sorry I don't stop by here more!!!

    Have a great great day! And next time you are all out for Lou Malnati's give me an advance notice and I wanna come!!!

    Have a splendilicious spectacular day!

  • Monkey Weasel

    November 6, 2009 at 4:23 pm

    I hope you have a nice birth-day
    this year.
    And I hope you get what you wish
    for to.

    From:Monkey Weasel

  • ciara

    November 6, 2009 at 4:56 pm

    wait…i think we had the same kind of friends. i will tell you that i'm totally an 80s girl. for sure. lol

    hope you're having a great day. happy birthday! i was going to write a birthday post on my bday, but i had nothing to write about, and yesterday i blogblasted for peace. so i think today is a good day for a bday post haha :0)

  • Huckdoll

    November 6, 2009 at 6:50 pm

    "Simple" means that all I need is love and good company.

    Not corny at all. I've learned that simplicity is actually one of the keys to happiness and that love is all you really need 🙂 You're going to have a great day and year with that understanding.

    Happy, happy birthday xo

  • k a t i e

    November 6, 2009 at 9:20 pm

    Happy, HAPPY birthday. I'm late, I know – but it sounds like you're having an incredibly fun day already! I hope the following year is just as fun – and friend – filled as always.

    Love your li'l Aussie sis, k a t i e

  • Sue

    November 6, 2009 at 10:01 pm

    Glad that you are having a fun day full of surprises (even a comment from Monkey Weasel!).

    I do love my blog friends and you are top of the list!

  • sandra

    November 6, 2009 at 11:04 pm

    Hope you're having an awesome day, Melisa!

    (It amazes me when kids look SO much like their parents. Like your son like you in this photo. Whoa! But I'm sure you had already noticed.)

  • The Microblogologist

    November 6, 2009 at 11:12 pm

    Glad you enjoyed my status update, love you long TIME my friend! And I am actually the same about my birthday, I am not a go out and party person and would much rather just hang out with family and friends. Since moving here I haven't really celebrated mine besides talking on the phone with the family and friends who know when it is and call me. This was the first year I spent part of it with friends =).

    Hope you have a wonderful day today and always!

  • Michelle

    November 7, 2009 at 12:54 am

    I LOVE the expressions on your faces. Too fun. And umm I thought I was the only one who loved high school but I guess that idea's out the window 😉

    Happy birthday, Melisa! So what did the Fab Five do for dinner?

  • Mags

    November 7, 2009 at 3:48 am

    So, first, I love the title. Your titles have been cracking me up lately.

    Second. I'm a dweeb. I believed you when you said Facebook messed up and said it was your birthday. It happened to another friend of mine, so it didn't seem sneaky to me. 🙂

    So, I'm so sorry I missed it earlier. HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!