I’m celebrating a birthday this week.  And I don’t know whether to cheer or cry in my cake.

When I first started my blog, I called myself 30-something.  So last year on my birthday I considered myself 30-something plus one.  So this year I must be 30-something plus two, right?  Come on, who am I kidding?  I think it’s time for me to face the facts without sugar coating them with semantics.  I’m about to turn 35 folks.  I’m officially in my mid-30’s.  I’m on the downhill slide to the big 4-0.  And according to my kids, I’m OLD.

I’ve never had an overwhelming desire to celebrate my birthday.  I don’t really remember any details about birthday celebrations I had as a kid or as a grown-up except for my 18th birthday that happened to fall on prom night.  For the most part, I try to ignore my birthday in the hopes that no one, including myself, will notice that I’m another year older. 

I guess you can say I’m not exactly embracing my age.  I never have.  When I was a kid, I wanted to be older.  I did everything I could to look and act older than my age.  But somewhere along the line my desire to be older transformed into a desire to be younger.  I look at my kids playing outside, and it feels like just yesterday that I was playing wiffle ball in the backyard with my brother and riding my bike to the swim club and drawing hopscotch boxes in chalk on my driveway.  Where did the time go?  How is it possible that over 3 decades have passed like the blink of an eye?

I have no idea how I’m going to celebrate my birthday this year.  Last year Mr. Roller Coaster was deployed, and it was just another day.  This year?  I don’t know.  Maybe I’ll ignore it again.  Or maybe this will be the year I finally embrace my age.
How do you feel about birthdays?  Do you like to celebrate them or ignore them?

19 Comments on Another Year Older

  1. Happy birthday from a fellow May baby (who also happens to be turning another year older this week)! Personally, I don't mind adding another candle to mark the successful completion of one more trip around the sun. My mom has one of the best attitudes about it, and I tend to agree with her: as much as I may have enjoyed being a particular age in the past, I would never give up the time that has brought me to the present version of myself.

    Also, any excuse for cake is all right in my book. 😉

  2. Wishing You A Wonderful Birthday from Across the 'Pond' 🙂

    whether you embrace it or not, i hope its a good one.

    personally, i dont celebrate my birthday, even being the young age i am. i dont know why. just dont like it! its only another day!

    you are as young as you feel 🙂

    Happy Monday/Birthday!

    KirstieJayyx

    [http://kirstiejayy.blogspot.com]

  3. Happy Birthday, lady! This will probably make you croak, but I did cry most of the day I turned 25. Mostly because where I actually was at 25 was not where I had planned to be at 25. I know, it's not old, but it feels old when you haven't met any of your long-planned goals. Feel the same way about turning 27 later this year. Maybe it's just odd numbers?

  4. Aaah Happy Earlyish Birthday!

    I am such a kid, I totally adore birthdays. Mine is September 8th and by the end of August I am buzzing like a bumble bee in anticipation. Maybe I just like cake too much… 😛

  5. Happy Birthday!

    I turn 29 next month… for the first time. I'd like to hope I'm like my mom and embrace each and every grey hair and wrinkle. But I'm not sure. We'll see!

  6. First of all, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

    Everyone deserves to celebrate their birthday no matter how old they are getting. Embrace it! Own it! Be proud. Birthdays are YOUR day, take advantage of it. (And 35 is NOT old, what do kids know?)

    But with all the said, I tend to not really celebrate my birthday too much. Maybe dinner, and a little "Woo Hoo, it's my birthday" cheer. I don't want to get too obnoxious. Lol.

  7. Happy Birthday!! But I'm with you I turn 35 this year and although I don't consider it to be old I feel like I'm older. Don't ignore it…celebrate it! As a good friend once said…"better a milestone than a tombstone." Make it a date night with your hubby!

  8. Happy Birthday! Thirty five was a WONDERFUL year for me! I was really down about it and it ended up being awesome! Here's hoping you have an amazing year as well 🙂

  9. Yeah, no one ever says their 34 and-a-half. I celebrate the hell out of my birthdays and I demand others celebrate me, as well. Right around the first of my birthday month the e-mails go out: "Just 20 more shopping days till Jayne's birthday." I insist on being wined and dined and, of course, there must be cake. Now I'll let you on a little secret. The 30's are the big ho-hum. Life really rocks when you hit 40. That's when you will hit your stride. Then the 50s suck again. Then you hit 60, which is the new 40, and everything rocks again. You've got a lot to look forward to so get your party on!

  10. Happy early birthday!!!

    Um yeah when I was younger I loved birthdays! Nowadays it's just a horrible reminder that I'm getting older. But my kids love birthdays so I put up a smile and thank them for wanting to show their love on my special day! But now I see why parents never wanted to make a big deal of it haha.

  11. THanks for the birthday wishes everyone! And Jayne, you are just awesome! I need to take your lead and start celebrating the hell out of my birthdays. Thanks for the inspiration!

  12. I can totally relate to what you are saying about time passing so quickly. Oftentimes I feel like a kid just in the body of a grownup. I look at teenages and think, I'm not THAT much older. But oh yes I am. I really really am. I think I started to feel more like a grownup when I had kids. I guess it was the fact that I was no longer just living life however I wanted. I had to take care of someone else. It made me feel old for the first time ever. I hope your birthday was awesome. I think you are an amzing person. Though we haven't me IRL, I really admire you as a writer and as a friend. Wish I could spend your bday with you and take you out for a girly lunch!

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