I Still Got It.

 

Morning Love Bugs,
This past weekend a friend celebrated her birthday, she didn't grow up in the area so a few of us wanted to make sure it was special. Massive balloon (check), singing happy birthday with a lighted cake (check), a funny card (check), her favorite candy and craft beer (yup), going out to celebrate (sure did).

It made me think about how important she was to us. It also made me think if I'd be happy with the same amount of birthday attention.

Why is it that some birthdays are so anti-climatic? Is it disappointing because no one actually celebrates your life to the level at which it should be? Is it because it means one more year closer to over the hill? Is it because people don't make it a priority? What happened to the good old days when mom spent hours if not days making your cake? Or you picked out your own piñata and candy? (haha is this just me?) Or you were actually the center of attention while your friends crowded around to see what cool presents you received?

Then all those thoughts led me to another train of thought. I've received some really thoughtful gifts, the gifts that leave you speechless. My dad use to sift through antiques and at one show he found this tiny German crest with the Berlin Bear on it (insert my birthplace and family nickname). My dad took this out of place object and had it made into a necklace. It just so happens to be my favorite piece of jewelry. Out of the blue, an awesome friend saw a drawing that looked very similar to Alfonso Mucha's style of work (my favorite artist), then he learned that it was drawn from coffee grinds and a pencil from an inmate. It's a beautiful piece of work that is now the focal point of my bedroom. One year my closest girlfriends knew that I wanted a designer purse. What did they do? They all pitched in and got me a gift card to pick out my dream purse. My friend Jandi, who at the time was putting herself through college, got me a beautiful hard bound book that contained black and white pictures of The Beatles. Why? Because she knew how much I love The Beatles and I'm obsessed with black and white photography.

All these things made me think about the last time I spent a little more, searched a little more, thought a little bit more, started a little sooner in planning, etc. to make someone feel incredibly special. It's funny how one day can make a lifetime of memories or jokes, one extra special gift can become the focal point of a room, or something super thoughtful can be the most treasured possession.

Random story. Jandi and I went to Ireland. I'm not sure if it was me or her, but we made it a point to go to St. Valentine's Church. Mind you, we didn't grow up Catholic so the whole "I believe in God the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth" was slightly foreign to us. We also don't carry around a rosary, BUT this little old Irish man at the church did. He saw through Jandi and I wanna be Catholic ways, sat next to us and taught us the Apostles Creed. He asked where our rosaries were and before we could answer, in the thickest Irish accent ever, leaned in and said "I always carry extra". He gave us the most hideously pink plastic rosary ever and sat with us for about a half hour showing us the Catholic ropes. His cuteness, his thoughtfulness, his gift and his time made my entire trip. (I tried unearthing that rosary for picture purposes, but I'm still on the hunt.)

I guess what I'm trying to remind myself is that I need to go the extra mile for others, especially in the gift giving, birthdays/holidays, and time department.

 

 

 

Daily Challenge:

Take just a few minutes to make sure you know your family and friends' birthdays, special days (even hard days like the loss of a friend/family) and so on. Set reminders so that you aren't waiting until the last minute and throwing things together. Make it special, a little planning goes a long way.

Song of the Day:
 Becky Hill - Caution to the Wind
https://soundcloud.com/becky-hill-official/caution-to-the-wind

Time to get ready for work........