My birthday came ’round while in Santa Fe. It’s the one day of the year when Facebook is really lovely. For all of it’s annoying-ness, more than a hundred birthday well wishes on FB put a big smile on my face and my heart swelled with gratitude.
The trip out west was a huge gift. It was a strain on the family budget, one that we planned for but we could’ve easily funneled that money elsewhere. However, my husband is one of those guys who always says, “Go! You need this.” And he’s usually right.
I had other birthday treats that made me feel loved – gift cards, books, and little British tidbits, like Brit Wit: The Perfect Riposte for Every Social Occasion, given to me by my mother. The inside cover reads, “Ever been at a loss for words? Ever wished that the perfect wry remark or putdown would spring to mind? The great, the good, the intellectual, and the downright insulting can all be found in Brit Wit.” Mom knows me well! A few excerpts:
Being powerful is like being a lady. If you have to tell people you are, you aren’t. – Margaret Thatcher
The pen is mightier than the sword, and considerably easier to write with. – Marty Feldman
The older one grows, the more one likes indecency. – Virginia Woolf
When I got home on Sunday, I saw one last present from Chuck and it moved me so greatly that I burst into tears. He took a mock cover of my novel that I designed and had it matted to a canvas. In that moment I was terrified that my story might be published for the world to read, even though that’s my greatest desire, and there was the cover all exposed. Fear and joy poured down my face as I hugged him (while he laughed at my silliness). I want so badly to show you, dear readers, but that fear is really strong.
At any rate, so far, 36 is just fine.
