Blogtober 27: How to Celebrate a Birthday

 

Birthdays come around every year. Mine is later this week. I receive texts, cards, and phone calls. There will be party in a couple of weeks to celebrate my birthday, and those of my eldest daughter and my daughter-in-law. I don't have anything to do with the planning or details. It's kind of fun to not be involved. 

When we lived overseas, far from family, Tim always made my day special. He and the children baked a cake, wrapped presents, and did the dishes. Sometimes we went out for dinner. In the small jungle town near where we lived in the early years, there was no flower shop, but the funeral parlour sold bunches of chrysanthemums to place on gravesites. Tim would bring me a bunch because he knew how much I loved flowers, no matter where they came from. 

I also learned that it was just fine to make my day special in its own way. I would take some time to do what I wanted, such as sew or read. A Victoria magazine, always late to arrive, would be saved to enjoy with a cup of tea. Lighting candles, starting a new book, or wearing a favourite outfit are still things I like to do to mark my birthday. If I can manage it during my birthday week, a few hours spent wandering through bookstores is always special. 

Of course, it doesn't take a birthday to treat yourself well. Iris Murdoch said, "One of the secrets of a happy life is continuous small treats." Here's a short list of some of my small treats - 

a square or two of dark chocolate after dinner

stores with vintage goods

beautiful books

tea with a friend or two

kicking up autumn leaves on a walk in the sunshine

reading blog comments

dabbling in watercolour paints

arranging a vase of flowers

listening to raindrops splat against the windows while warm and cosy indoors

What are some of your small treats?