My birthday is over now, but as it approached I faced the inevitable question from Brilliant Husband: What do you want for your birthday?
I’m happy to say I looked around the house, and while there are lots of projects big and small, I felt content. Books and music always top my list, but there wasn’t anything I needed. Not really.
But he’d asked me what I wanted… which, is fundamentally different.
World peace? Flowers? A romantic dinner or weekend away? World peace would be fabulous, but it’s not something that can be wrapped up with a pretty bow. I’m happy to say I’m spoiled by the rest of those options fairly regularly. What is there to want?
There was only one thing I could think of that I wanted – one thing I need – but it couldn’t be arranged by the ‘big day’ so I left it unsaid. Brilliant Husband knows it’s on my wish list, heck, even the Brilliant Son and Daughter know it’s always in the back of my mind.
What I want most on my birthday (on every holiday, really) is time with my two best friends who live too far away. One in Indiana, the other in Texas, it has been far too long since I’ve spent face time with either of them.
Those two women, beautiful, strong, funny, and sure-of-self have been true anchors in my life. They are the type of friends you have forever, the bond is that vibrant. They’re friends I can call or text and the distance of time or mileage simply falls away.
Travel is a current challenge for each of us in different ways, so for now I must be content to remain close through technology – and thank goodness for that!
Their lovely faces surround my desk so I can keep the memories of our various adventures fresh in my mind. The notes they’ve sent through the years are tacked to my bulletin boards so I have them as touchstones every day no matter what any of us are doing.
Surely that’s one reason I manage to keep moving forward. They’ve lent belief, comfort, and laughter beyond measure through the good times and rough patches alike. These two women are sisters of my heart in soul-deep ways that words can’t always adequately express.
So what is there to want for my birthday or any day?
Time with the people I love, good health, and a heart full of gratitude are the real keys for me.
Live the adventure!
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