49th parallel

I have about 7 more minutes of my 49th birthday as I begin typing this. It's been a busy day - a milestone day for both Julia and me -- for her, it was her communion day -- for me, the end of my forties as I cross over the 49th parallel to another decade.

It's an odd looking number - 49

I don't find it visually satisfying -- I don't feel like I'm an odd number kinda gal which is kinda funny since I was born on the first (odd) of May (5th month - odd) 1961 - odd again.

Could it be that I was supposed to be born in April - -was two weeks over due and was delivered by C-section on May 1 -- born at 9 am -- another odd number. Anyway.

But here I am now 49 -- and next year the big one. Hmmmm -- that will take some processing.

But I'm kinda okay with being 49 -- it's just a number and I must say I'm much better with the age thing now than I was when I turned 39, and 29 for that matter. I think it's funny these past few years I keep forgetting how old I am -- I mean, it's not automatic. I've had to ask Julia -- how old am I now -- lucky for me, she always knows. And I like that.

I feel a tiny bit wiser now than when I was forty, and I feel a whole lot more contented. Julia, of course, is a huge part of that -- all she's brought to my life on her own and the relationships I've developed and strengthed because of her, are all blessings. The experiences I've had because of her have been gifts.

I didn't get a fancy cake like this --

perhaps next year. My family sang Happy Birthday to me as we enjoyed Julia's ice cream communion cake. That was nice.

The best part of my birthday was Julia bringing me breakfast in bed. I told her I only wanted three things for my birthday -- a clean house and to not be angry --(I sound like my mother who always replied "Peace" when we asked her what she wanted for her birthday or Christmas. I so get what she meant by that now.)

Julia also insisted "And breakfast in bed!" - our family tradition be added to the list. She had confirmed earlier in the week what I might like for breakfast, so I was quite sure the plan was good to go. I heard her up early -- too early for what was going to be a busy day for her -- hunting around for the breakfast tray. She couldn't find it as it was tucked away in my closet after our big all day cleaning and purge session yesterday. So she had given up -- when I got up then to finish the pre-communion prep jobs, she was awake in her room and lamented about the tray. I told her where it was and then she told me to go back to bed.

Off I happily trotted -- got propped up with my pillows and my A Homemade Life, and waited. I could hear her making the way up the stairs. She came in singing and balancing the bed tray carefully, but coming to the opposite side of the bed to where I was -- and then it was slow motion. The tray tipped as she hit the side of the bed, the cereal and juice toppled to the carpet with a big wet splat, and Julia dissolved into tears. My heart ached for her and her disappointment -- but we got it cleaned up, mopped and sopped up -- more heavy duty cleaning will be done tomorrow -- but I told her I'd be happy if she tried again, and dear thing -- she took up the challenge.

So here I am with tray, Raisin Bran and orange juice safely delivered. Lucky me. Happy her.

Julia said she was sorry that she didn't know how to make coffee - -I say save that for the big 50th celebration breakfast next year.

This was also another great gift I received -- a cuddle buddle with my dear girl. Happy birthday me.