Summer bursts with activities and plans, and I am already wondering at the folly of trying to move in the midst of it all. I put out a group text yesterday to solicit help from our kids, and the response was as expected:
We are away that weekend.
Can we help with the pre-move prep?
Sorry, Mom.
Our youngest son has offered to dedicate a day to help with his truck, which will be great; and the others have said they could help of an evening, but we are moving outside of town, so that doesn’t make much sense. We’ll hire help.
The other event happening this month is my 60th birthday. I haven’t really wanted to say it aloud, or make a fuss. It’s just another day.
“It’s an important birthday,” my husband chastises me. “I am disappointed you haven’t heard from the kids.”
I am not. Birthdays in July are always hit and miss. Kids go to camp; families go on vacation. For years, my family went away the week of my birthday.
“No worries. I am getting a new house for my birthday! What more could I need?”
Truth is, July has always been a difficult time for me in terms of depression. It is not a conscious thing, but nevertheless it has taken up residence in my psyche. It hit two days ago. As usual, it catches me off guard.
“Where did this come from?” I wondered as the heaviness descended. Even this morning, I felt an urge just to remain prone on my bed, lacking incentive to budge.
It wasn’t until I saw the prompts for the day that I realized the source of this discontentment: birthday month.
It is not aging that sets me off: in fact, sixty has a freeing ring about it. It is a history
of disappointments and letdowns, dating back to family of origin. I have tried to lessen the pain over the years with therapy, and yet, it lingers: a dappled bruise on my soul. Maybe some things never heal.
“Send the kids a message that we will host a birthday celebration here,” Ric suggests.
I do. One family is just getting back from vacation then, another out of town. So far, one daughter can come.
“Let’s just go away,” I suggest.
And then, sometime later, another text…outside of the group chat.
“We’ve been trying to put something together Mom, as a bit of a surprise, but your messages are messing things up.”
A warmth rushes through me and I smile. This is not the family of my childhood; these are my kids, and they care.
I had momentarily forgotten.
(Today’s prompts are as follows: Fandango, lessen; Ragtag Community, dappled; Daily addictions, resident. Thanks for dropping by.)
One Woman's Quest II 
Hope you enjoyed your July birthday in the end. I can relate to some of your post but memories of people departed. Mine and my brothers birthdays are in July.
Birthdays might be an idea for me to do a blog post.
Thanks for sharing V.J and hope you are well.
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Thanks Margaret.
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Love it when things turn out better than what one expected. Happy birthday, V.J.
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Thanks, Olga!
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“How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you are?.”
Satchel Paige
Louise Penny, a Canadian author I really like turned 60 on July 1. She starts her July newsletter with this quote. I thought you might enjoy reading her thoughts on this new decade you’re entering. I hope you have a lovely birthday and years of good health and laughter…
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Thank you, Sarah. I am so much younger in my mind, for sure. (most days, lol.)
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All the very best for your forthcoming birthday. I’m glad your children are having a celebration for you. Turning 60 is special.
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Thank you. I’m always happy surrounded by offspring.
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I love that your kids were trying to surprise you. 😊 I hope your spirits lift and that you’re able to thoroughly enjoy your big day.
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I will come around, thanks Terri. It is conditioned, I think – happens despite me.
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I can definitely understand that. Some things are just so deeply ingrained because of what we’ve been conditioned to expect that it’s hard to escape them.
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Apparently so.
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Love the promptible (just made it up defined as the use of multiple prompts as a source for a blog post— if it’s a real word I’ll withdraw 😬) I’m impressed! October is my downer month. And I can pretty much pinpoint when it started. This year is 5-0 for me and like you I just want to go away and let it come and go like my last 30… love the get off chat so we can plan something reply. I think we have said that to my mother a number of times 🙂
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Sorry to hear I’m not the only one. The plans are set now for dinner Sunday. All is well.
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Like the new term: promptible – my spell check is dying to change it.
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Resist! (Or just add it to the dictionary 🧐)
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