Apr
17
Birthday Blues
Posted by 4T at 08:21 | Filed In Family After 40, Life After 40
Two days ago was my birthday. I turned 55. I woke up depressed, not because of my age, that’s not an issue. I really don’t know why., and the day did not get better. Usually when my families birthdays roll around I ask the birthday person what they would like to eat and what kind of cake they would prefer. I make the dinner of their choice, or what I know they would like, and we gather at my house for food and gifts. It’s only 7 of us; my husband and I, my daughter and her husband, my son and his girlfriend, and my mother-in-law. We used to go out to eat when the kids were younger but now we do the stay at home thing.
Last year the family asked what we would do on my birthday. I cooked one of my favorite meals and bought myself a cake. They came over and brought gifts, and it was like any other day. This year they asked again what are we doing for my birthday. I didn’t feel like cooking, and eating out is expensive. I really didn’t feel like celebrating, but mostly, I didn’t feel like planning my own birthday. My children are on their own, not living at home and have jobs. Am I wrong to feel that they should plan something, even if it is cake and coffee somewhere? My mother-in-law has her own apartment and is self sufficient and yet she wanted to know what the plan was. So that night my husband fell asleep, I had ice cream for dinner and that was my birthday. Is it too much to ask, or expect, my family to plan a small birthday celebration for me. Or am I being babyish? Well, maybe next year will work out better.
