A Birthday Itself is the True Gift

The other night I was having dinner with my dear, elderly neighbor. We talked and chatted about many things over glasses of wine and dessert. She shared she was going to have a late night because she needed to stay up until midnight. This is her birthday tradition. On the eve of her birthday, she stays up till midnight to cherish the last moments of one year and to usher in the beginning of the next. “At 86,” she said, “you don’t know how many years you have left so it is best to treasure all the minutes in each one.”

Oh, her wise words. It really doesn’t matter our age, none of us know how many more years there are our in our life scroll. Many of us, including myself, dread those decade changes- 40,50, 60, etc. At school, the same morning, one of my colleagues was so worried about turning 40 and another about hitting that big 5-0. Yes, we are getting older but isn’t that really the gift we should be celebrating! Each birthday means another year of life with those we love and cherish. Time to create memories, foster friendships, have adventures, and reach our dreams.

So my mature neighbor (she does not like the world old and calls herself mature)has some very wise advice. She has shifted my perspective on birthdays. I also plan to adopt her tradition of savoring the last moments of one year and greeting the next with welcoming arms. Next September, I will happily accept the gift of another birthday and all that it offers.

May all of you readers be blessed with many more birthdays!