Wednesday, November 16, 2005

Happy Birthday to Me

Well, today ends the 58th year of my rather interesting life! I tend not to get too introspective on my birthday. I just sit back and open the presents. Besides if I start thinking about how long I've lived and how much longer I might have to live, I could get terribly depressed.

Being a Boomer has had it's ups and downs.

I got to experience the Hippie Culture first hand. Unfortunately I don't' remember a lot of it . (insert your own reason here.) But we also had to endure the Viet Nam war. That lead indirectly to my first terrible marriage. But I learned a lot during those years of being part of a Lebanese "mob" family. I learned to scan my car for an explosive devise. Of course, with modern technology, that's probably an archaic skill. I also learned how to cook some really good Middle Eastern Food.

I taught school for 7 years. All I learned from that is that I really don't like kids. All I can hope for is that I didn't damage any young minds along the way.

I worked for a government MR/DD agency for 23 years. I do feel like I helped a lot of people along the way there - both staff and clients (or whatever they call them now). They were, in general good years. I met a lot of people. Learned a lot about life. Discovered a lot about myself and others. Not that I'd go back! There's a reason they put us out to pasture after so many years! You just start taking up space.

I have the best family in the world. Karen will be 22 next week. If you do the math, you'll see that we waited a while. Wasn't our fault. That's just the way it was meant to be. But if you don't' like kids, that's a good way to do it. I love her more deeply than I can ever express. And the family will be enhanced with a son-in-law who is good to her and to us. So that part of life has been good.

I've lost family. Mom, Dad and my only brother are gone. I miss them with an ache that can't be put into words.

I survived cancer. I think that speaks for itself.

I've been totally irresponsible. I went to California for a week and came back 3 months later, leaving a car parked by the road to be repossessed.

I've done some civic good. I was team captain for the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life for 4 years. We raised a lot of money (and awareness) and won a lot of awards.

Now life is calm and flows from day to day with an ease that I never thought possible. No drama! In a way that is frightening, because history has taught us that in those kinds of times, you just way for the big bang! But I'm not that kind of pessimist.

Life is good. I think I might spend some time today thinking about what I want to do for the next 58 years. But then...maybe not...

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

While surfing Willow Traders I saw your link to your blog...the name is wonderful! Anyways, just wanted to say Happy Birthday!

Cricket :)

Anonymous said...

Linda! You have had a wonderful life...Can't wait to see what your future holds!

I love the visit to CA that turned into 3 months! Must be some good stories there! LOL!

Happy Birthday to you!!