Baby sis (whose birthday was in Jan) and I didn't feel we could bear to celebrate our birthdays this year. So we've put them on hold.
Starting Saturday, I'll be spending a week with United Way of Sarasota County (FL) cleaning up after Hurricane Milton as part of a college service break with students. It'll be filthy work all day and bunking at a local church shelter at night.
My mom would be slightly horrified at spending a birthday this way--she so loved luxury and soft things.
But somehow it feels right to me. Not quite a celebration, more as a way of comemorating the gift of this body she birthed.
In any case, it'll be different.
Pic: Mallards on the Red Cedar. Walk with AS last week.
16 comments:
I think that's a good idea - something different and in service to the community! Although I also like luxury and soft things, sometimes being busy with something is a good idea.
Take care.
Sounds like a good plan.
You'll be doing good work in and for Nature, surrounded by young people who care. This sounds healing and celebratory in its own way to me. After spending time this way, you may want to treat yourself to some Luxury and Soft Things and raise a toast to your mom.
You have had many gifts in life. This is a birthday where you give the gift -- and one so needed and appreciated. I think there is healing in this; I hope so. Safe travels.
A commemoration of the gift of your body is a wonderful way to look at it, Maya. Serving others seems like such a foolproof way to feel GOOD, if in the satisfied, fulfilling type of way. I hope the week is full of hard, gratifying work and thoughtful contemplation. And sunshine and conversation and community.
I'm behind on blogging but caught up on your last couple of posts. I was actually thinking I needed to text you last week to check in as you hadn't posted in awhile! So I am glad to see you back but my heart is heavy for you. Grief is such a non-linear path and there always seem to be "grief landmines" that we don't see coming. I think your birthday plans sound great. You'll be helping others and hopefully it is warm and sunny! Sunshine and warmth always make things a little bit easier for me!
I think the busyness will be a rescue...
Thank you!
Thanks, Steph!
I love all of this--I do think it will be healing and centering <3
Thank you, Jeanie <3
100% Agree, Suzanne. Selfishly doing it for myself. The usual things don't seem like they would be helpful this time.
I hadn't thought of that, Lisa... But the group leader was talking about heat exhaustion in a meeting today... and that just sounds so incredible as we had more snow this weekend!
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