Δαφνη Ευτυχια Αρθουρος

"The bonds that links your true family is not one of blood, but of respect and joy in each others life. Rarely do members of one family grow up under the same roof." -- Richard Bach

Have spent my birthday so far recovering from having pushed myself too hard on Saturday. Fortunately I saw this coming and did not make plans that depended on my feeling energetic. I might try to find something fun to do at the last minute tonight if I feel up to going out, but more likely I'll just stay in, cook myself something especially nice for dinner (must remember to head out to buy garlic), meditate on the passage of time, and plan to celebrate in small bites over the next few days.

I'm not consistent in how I deal with birthdays. There have been years I've enjoyed a big celebration with friends, years I've felt terribly disappointed not to be able to do that, years I've lost track of time and not realized it was my birthday until I had to write the date on something, years I've celebrated by spending a quiet evening with a lover, years I've spent the evening of my birthday on stage, and years I've been quite content to only mark the occasion with a few phone calls and email messages. This year ... well, it would've been nice to take advantage of my birthday being a national holiday to hang out with friends, but spending the day resting doesn't seem like a bad thing -- and I do need the rest. (So this is not an invitation to feel sorry for me, just an observation of my state of mind. Another year, in a different mood, spending my birthday this way would suck mightily; but this year it's just ... calm, quiet, relaxed.)

I did have to remind myself a few times not to stress too much over my to-do list today. I should be able to give myself a break on my birthday, right? Now to decide what to make for dinner. And maybe get around to seeing what the rest of you have written today.