My Birthday - December 27 - "Tidings of Coffee and Joy."

Today is the day divinely chosen for me to enter the world! A Christmas present, the first-born baby for my late, beloved Mom and Dad. ❤️ 😃 

Keeping it real.  Sharing my story of what I experienced and how I felt as a child.

“Your life is your story.  Write well, edit often.” - Susan Statham 

Over the years, my birthday has inevitably and frequently been overlooked and “on the back burner” since it is so close to Christmas.  Most everyone has already celebrated, partied, almost ad nauseam, eaten their fill, or beyond, imbibed (in excess, often) in favourite beverages, been together with family and friends, in-laws and out-laws, received and given gifts, displayed fatigue, apathy, sympathy and malaise. 

The words I often heard were “oh right, it’s your Birthday, I forgot.” “Oh darn, I didn’t get you a gift.” “Your present is combined with Christmas and your Birthday.” “Oh, sorry, I didn’t have Birthday wrapping, I only had Christmas paper rolls.” A Birthday cake/Christmas cake or single pastry, was a regular occurrence, for sake of convenience and/or pure laziness imho.  On and on, were the excuses. You don’t get to look forward to a Birthday properly celebrated at a different time of year, when the sun is shining, maybe you’re camping or going to the park, pool or beach, where your day is fully acknowledged and celebrated with a Birthday cake, not a Yule log, or Christmas cookies, candy canes, and Santa chocolates.  Being a “Christmas” baby sucked! 😖 Siblings and friends often said, “you always complain about your Birthday.” Blah, blah, blah. Well, duh! You would too, I thought...and in later years, spoke up and said audibly. It’s a big deal to you when you’re a kid.  (I am certain there are others of you who have a Birthday in December and may have experienced some of these feelings as well.) 

When I was younger, I always felt cheated, ‘jipped’, forgotten and overlooked. It was like everyone else’s Birthday was more important, always celebrated with gifts given and received twice a year, whereas for me it was only once a year, if that even. As I got older, I realized that I was not going to allow this to “get to me” anymore! I knew that the day of my birth; my day, was especially chosen for me and equally as important as any other. The day I was born, I realized when able to understand, was beyond my control. I decided, (later in life together with my husband also) that my Birthday could and would be acknowledged on this day, as well as especially celebrated in January. During the first month of the year, there are no festivities, aside from New Year’s Day, and therefore I/we chose and choose to celebrate on a January weekend.  

I began, several years ago, to celebrate my day doing things that were important to me, made me happy, made my heart and soul sing, even if that was by myself, enjoying my own company. I thought of the joy my birth, as the first-born baby, brought to my parents, and I chose and I choose to be joyful on this day, and everyday, regardless. 

Thank you for “lending an ear” to my story.  🙏 Keeping it real, (no feeling sorry for myself) It is what it is. (Unfavourite phrase for me) I accept that. I focus on all the good, no matter what. I focus on being joyful and #spreadingjoy to everyone. I was created for this. The best gifts I can give and receive are joy and love.  ❤️ 🤗 

Today I choose joy.  Every day I choose joy. 

“Owning your story is the bravest things you’ll ever do.” - Brené Brown 

Any other December babies out there? Tell us your story. Share in the comments! 

😃 😊 🤗 ♥️ 💕 🍵 ☕️ 🍷 🍹 🎂 🍰 🧁 🎉 🎊 🥳 🎉 
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