Thursday, January 24, 2008

I Must Be Doing Something Right

Today is my birthday, number 44. (Does it make me seem charmingly neurotic or just flat-out insane when I say that having a numerical palindrome for an age makes me very, very happy?) Since N's birth two days after my 37th birthday, these days have become quiet ones, as we gear up for celebrating a little boy who begins looking forward to his special day on January 27th each year. This is fine by me.

And so, today, I've cleared the decks of heavy-lifting work (lots of routine tasks to catch up with, but no research and no writing of complete sentences for a potentially critical audience), and we'll bring dinner in. That's all I need.

Well, that and some presents. Or, rather, the cards that came with the presents.

Baroy's card to me was too cute--a copy of the Time magazine cover (even *I* can't bear to link to it yet again; the tooting of my own horn these days is almost deafening) with "I know I would be sick without you!" on the inside. Hysterical, and very sweet.

But the kids outdid themselves. Em (who recently learned how to use Powerpoint at school), put together a Powerpoint presentation for me, and then printed it out. Here are some excerpts:
What her son thinks about her
  • "She's perfect"
  • "She's great at everything"
  • "She's wonderful when she puts me to bed"
  • "She's good at work"
  • "She's sweet"
  • "She's good at taking Snug for walks"
and
What her daughter thinks of her
  • "She's a great friend"
  • "She's great to talk to"
  • "She is great to go to when I'm feeling blue"
  • "She's great to go to for advice"
  • "She knows me and all my problems"
OK, so that second one makes it seem like poor Em is constantly on the edge of a nervous breakdown, but still...If that isn't the official Cutest Thing Ever, I don't know what is.

Oh, and to top it all off, one of my nephews called me this afternoon to wish me a happy birthday...and we talked! For a long time! This is an 11-year-old boy for whom chatting on the phone has always seemed like some sort of evil torture...and yet, today, he used complete sentences! Sometimes two in a row! It was truly awesome. Seriously. I love that kid to death, and to get a chance to chat with him after not having seen him for a good six months is a huge gift.

So, yeah. 44. A palindrome year filled with notes and conversations and kids I adore. I could do much worse.

17 comments:

Rich | Championable said...

Hey, happy birthday! Only one more year until you REALLY start hitting your prime. Rock on.

kristen spina said...

Happy Birthday! Love the cards and the powerpoint...

Who could ask for anything more?

po said...

Happy 44!! We'd all be a lot less healthy and happy and blessed without you!

Love you and so glad you were born!!!

Anonymous said...

Woohoo, happy birthday!!! :-D

S.

Anonymous said...

Ahh now that is a great birthday gift all around.
Best wishes and many happy returns of the day

Green said...

Happy Birthday!

Anonymous said...

Well, po, I'll take credit for the birth and you are very welcome:-)

I'm so glad she was born too!

Happy Birthday!

hugs
MOM

PnP said...

Happy Birthday to you....
Happy Birthday to you....
Happy Birtthday dear TC.......................................................................................................!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy Birthday to you!

Hope you had a great day!

Love D

Anonymous said...

My sister's birthday is today. And she's also 44. And I can't for the life of me understand how there's a numerical palindrome in there. Please help!

TC said...

Anonymous, a palindrome is something (usually a word) that reads the same backwards and forwards. ("Madam, I'm Adam" or "A man, a plan, a canal, Panama" are some of the most famous palindromes.) 44 is kind of a pathetic palindrome, but it does qualify!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for your quick answer! I was making myself nuts working with 01, 24, 08, 1964, 2008, and any other numbers I could think of that might contribute. I'm sorry, but 44? That actually is kind of pathetic.

On the other hand, the article is absolutely fantastic. Great rhythm and flow, and a wonderful balance of weighty information and happy easy reading. *sparkle * sparkle*

What a delightful confluence of birthday and publishing events!

Lynn

Leila said...

Happy Birthday!

Krista said...

I am a loyal lurker and want to wish you the happiest of years! What can be better than the validation you have of your family. Happy Hapy year!

Julianne said...

Happy Birthday! I've got a palindrome coming up as well: 33.

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday! Hope the year continues to be great!

Anonymous said...

44 or not, you are still perfect!

Anonymous said...

Happy Belated! Give that girl a big ol' hug. She's so sweet! You are blessed.