“There is still no cure for the common birthday.” – John Glenn
Birthdays always bring me down. It’s not my advancing age that annoys me so much (although I’m not thrilled about the fact I can no longer realistically “double” my age). As “that” time of year approaches I begin to experience a weird sensation of anxiety and doom collecting in my stomach. Really, as far back as I can remember birthday wishes have embarrassed and flustered me. I hate to appear ungracious, but I’m uncomfortable being acknowledged and congratulated for an event that I had absolutely nothing to do with. I feel the same way when complimented about my green eyes – it’s strange to accept credit for something that took no effort on my part to achieve.
“You can live to be a hundred if you give up all the things that make you want to live to be a hundred.” – Woody Allen
Birthdays are a time-stamp underscoring the warp speed at which life travels. It’s not death I fear – I am afraid of wasting a single minute of the life that has been allotted to me. I figure that by taking a “head in the sand” approach, ignoring the upcoming anniversary and essentially glossing-over the entire celebration by refusing to acknowledge the passing of days on the calendar, I may be able to cheat the clock. Remember the saying, “You can’t fool Mother Nature”? Well, maybe I can outsmart Father Time?
Orvieto or Bust: 
Let me take you out when you get back from Italy, and there will be no well wishes spoken. Love you.
What are you, clairvoyant? I just posted this a minute ago! I would love to do that!
You are the sweetest, by the way. LY 2. T
Let’s call it a celebration of life. After all if we were not here enjoying life how could we experience our love of Italia and what the Italian life offers us? Can’t wait to celebrate life with you on our way home from Arizona and to hear all about your upcoming adventure to Orvieto! Heck-I can’t wait to actually meet you LOL ! Baci! Denise
Thanks, cugina!!! Hugs. 🙂
t
Auguri Toni! Completely get what you mean about birthdays. Like you I like to take a very low key approach and just let it pass quietly. You’ve just reminded me. The year I turned 40 there was NO WAY I wasn’t going to be in Italy. Still low key but with the people I love most in the world around me. One of the most beautiful things about our beloved Italy is that growing older can absolutely mean becoming more beautiful more fascinating. I truly believe this. Not long to go and you’ll be back in Orvieto. That’s got to be worth celebrating. Un abbraccio forte, Jxx
A friend once told me to count Summers, and to think about how many Summers I realistically have left. 53 if I live to be 100! And I intend to live them all!
ciao and auguri…xx
Hi Lisa…you know, you could have 106 summers if you manage it so you live in Italy and Australia 6 months each. 🙂
xxxo. t
Love that quote of Woody’s……….he has such a way with words!!! Hope to visit Orvieto either this year or next – so I’ll check out this lovely blog for all your great tips. Am on a wondrous adventure for the next couple of years and keen to travel to France and Italy. Ciao, Robyn.
Robyn,
Congratulations on your dream becoming a reality…9 weeks till blast-off! Super! Brisbane, huh? What is it about Australians and Americans living abroad? There seems to be quite a lot of us out there. Anyway, I am leaving for Orvieto in just under 3 weeks, but am only staying a few months this time…part of the plan is work my way up to 6 months a year and then gradually….as you say, voila! Thanks for writing and I look forward to following your adventures. Did you, by the way, see my posts about Paris recently? I was there for the first time in October last (I know, crazy it took me so long), and I absolutely loved it. I could see living there too. Hummm…I wonder how I could swing 6 months Italy, 6 months Paris….? Bon Voyage! toni