Happy Birthday to Me

In the Palm of Your Hand
Originally uploaded by ktoast.

At 6:30 a.m. my cell phone shrilly woke me up to the dulcet tones of my mother laughing at me. When I saw my mother's phone number in the small screen of my disposal cell phone, I panicked. The only reason to call me at that ungodly hour was an emergency along the lines of the Sacramento Valley dikes breaking and threatening to swamp her home. While there is nothing I could do about it, at least she would have the opportunity to let me know. This would be my mother.

However, her purpose was merely to greet me with a cheery happy birthday song and the imprecation to turn over a new leaf and start a life of early rising and bright chipper mornings. She was absolutely delighted that she'd wakened me. So at least my mother had a good start to the day, and honestly it's hard not to be in a good mood with your mommy laughing happily in your ear in the predawn light.

Dr C then slipped me out of the house to the local coffee shop for a grande generra (mocha with an orange twist and I recommend it highly) and a mango-passion fruit scone. While we were gone, my girls spent the morning making me a happy birthday sign. It is complete with personal drawings, little messages, signatures, and secret penned kisses.

The day is cloudy and drippy and damp and drizzly and all those things that should make me miserable. But the bimini covers went up yesterday, rendering the boat snug and comfortable. Dr C signs the papers this week to sell the pratice, and I think we might be able to find a tenant for our building in the form of the girls pediatrician.
My inbox is full of happy thoughts from friends, the IRC channel is buzzing with talk about where to take me for drinks, and there are two cards to open on the dining room table.

All in all it's not a bad thing being 39 (for the third time) if you have this many people who really want to make your day a happy one.