It’s gotten almost comical, really. Each year, I wait to see how my best-laid birthday plans will go awry. This year is turning out pretty good! That is, in terms of upended plans. :) I’m visiting dear friends in Nashville, and had planned a fun day of solo sightseeing, while my friends’ jobs held them captive. Breakfast, local landmarks, lunch and boot shopping (!!) with my friend who was going to be able to steal away from work for a couple of hours.
Enter this morning, the one day of my visit where the skies opened up and started pouring buckets of rain, accompanied by a symphony of thunder and lightning. A quick check of the weather forecast showed that it was only going to get worse throughout the day (and for once, the forecasters turned out to be right!). Not a banner day for walking around Nashville. So, back to bed I go. And, truthfully, sleeping in is one of my favorite things, so Plan B isn’t looking too bad!
(I tried to capture a photo of the sideways rain, but wasn’t successful. Instead, this lovely photo my sister found from a birthday — oh, just a few years ago — will do. Back when the magic of childhood and my mom’s amazing thoughtfulness made for birthdays that never needed a do-over. Note to self: Let mom plan all future birthdays!)
Okay, so back to bed for little more rest, and I’m ready to linger in bed for a day of quiet reflection, reading, and really, just wherever my heart takes me. Blissful, right? Well, mostly. The day has included those activities, but with the added feature of a migraine. Now, those who know me know that a migraine isn’t uncommon, but on my birthday? C’mon.
But, you know what? I really have had a very lovely day. (And I am sure to have more stories to tell as we attempt to successfully execute birthday dinner plans!) Because one of the most important lessons I’ve learned in the years since the birthday pictured above is that happiness and contentment don’t depend on my circumstances. I can choose how I respond when plans get derailed and a day (or a season) doesn’t go as planned. And I have learned (mostly!) to focus on the good in the midst of the circumstances, to laugh at the situation rather than get discouraged.
I have also learned to draw increasingly on something I think I’ve always known: this life is not about me. To be sure, a birthday may be more about me than a normal day, and I have talked far more about myself in this little post than I usually do with anyone, anywhere, but a foiled birthday seems like a good-natured reminder that life isn’t all about me.
And, I have been blessed with the most amazing friends and family who know no bounds to their generosity, and who are no doubt already lining up to treat me to a birthday do-over. The kind where things go right, at least for a moment, because they’re happening on a non-birthday day, and there is nothing conspiring against them. To which I say, bring it!
Update: The best boot store in Nashville is apparently open till 10PM, so a little post-dinner shopping seems to be in order. This may turn out to be a very happy birthday after all!