Whenever I see or hear of a person who rues his or her impending birthday, I wonder what type of person they would be. Are they a vain, self-centered individual that lives in the past with their youth and beauty? Are they one who has so little self-esteem that being alive means nothing? Just what are they?

I can’t help my self, but when my birthday comes along I want to shout it to the world that I have made it another year. It is not because I am so great, but it is the things around me that are so great. I have had another year of being with loving friends and family. Sharing with them the chats about nothing, playing the competitive games of life, both mental and physical, receiving those hugs and kisses of care and love and most of all knowing there are a few people out there that do care that I exist. I have had another year of watching the glorious works of art of God in the morning sunrises and the evening sunsets. I have seen the flowers bloom again. I have felt the cool moist kiss of a morning breeze. I have seen the animals and the birds of the wild giving a grateful glance for the food and water I have given them. Even those creatures who are not looked upon with love by most, the spiders, bugs, and creepy crawlers, I marvel at their ability to weave webs of beauty and to make a life where no other living creature could exist. Every fall I look forward to the migrating bats, who find our front entry as an inviting "bat motel". If one just opens his eyes he can find so many things that make each year lived even more special.

Yes, each year I feel the pain of age. My joints are not as flexible. But my legs, arms and hand do work and some have none. I tend to breathe harder walking up a flight of stairs. But I breathe without the help of an oxygen tank. My eyes do not see all the imperfections since astigmatisms and cataracts distort and cloud my acute vision. But I do see and that is a blessing for so many do not see. I may not hear as clearly as I did in my youth, but I hear. My mind is fine and I know those around me. The pain I feel is acceptable for feeling no pain is an alternative I do no wish to experience.

So, birthdays …. let them continue. Each year can be filled with all of life’s presents if one will only stop complaining and living in the past. Each birthday I say to myself silently…. "Carpi Dieum". Enjoy.

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gacracker@cox.net

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