Birthdays are Times for Reflection
I closed the car door. Walking toward the house, I could feel a wave of reflection beginning to churn, like a storm, uncontrollable. Entering through the front door and stepping into the house, I met my wife coming to greet me. “What is it?” she asked. I guess she could tell I had something on my mind. I paused, not sure how to put words to feelings.
“Have I done all I could have?” I mused aloud. Although I’m not sure that particular grammatical structure captured my exact sentiments, she knew what I was referring to in the question: My birthday.
Yes, another birthday has found me.
Thinking back through time, I remember birthday number 30. A surprise party. I had met the girl of my dreams. Things were progressing well, something I had resigned would never happen. But yet it had. Great hope. Anticipation for what would come next in life. The next ten years brought great adventure. A wedding. A house. A move. A new house. New friends. Wonderful friends. All good. All good. Ten years move past.
And then, somehow another round-number birthday found me. This time a trip to Costa Rica. Two beautiful children. Another move, to New York City this time. A new job. Amazing new colleagues. Then another move. New job. One more baby. All good. All good. Except Mom, losing her. Tough. Terrible.
Not speaking of my mom, my wife asked, “Would you have traded any of that?” Inhaling deeply, I shook my head.
No.
Have I done all I could have? The question echoed in my thoughts. Then, Is that even a fair question? I realized… I’m so grateful for the many blessings, people, experiences, family, knowledge, and opportunity that have graced these past fifty years.
Today is my birthday. Here’s to another decade of adventure…
LANNY BALL, Literacy Specialist 
Happy Birthday! Reflection seems to be a big part of some birthdays. Through all the ups and downs it’s good to take time to reflect.
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Thank you! Yes, reflection is good.
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Lanny, Happy Birthday! I’m not sure how we would ever measure enough or not enough. I know my work is stronger for having you as a colleague. And Q is better off for the work you have done at that school. And those, I’m sure, are tiny ripples compared to the many you’ve made.
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Katie, you are so generous! Thank you for the kind words. It means a lot to know that one’s work matters. I’m so grateful to have you as a colleague!
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Happy Birthday, thank you for sharing your reflective thoughts. Every moment is unique and special in its own way. May the next decade be full of cherished memories.
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Thank you so much!
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A birthday seems like a great time to reflect and it sounds like you have a lot to celebrate. Happy birthday and thank you for sharing.
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Thank you!
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“I’m so grateful for the many blessings, people, experiences, family, knowledge, and opportunity that have graced these past fifty years.” This line is the take away! Life is a blessing, we need to take the time to count the blessings that make up our lives – just like you did in this slice! Happy Birthday to YOU (you and my husband are 68 babies! he is welcomed it by skiing in Utah with our oldest daughter – you are welcoming it by sharing this slice!) Again, Happy Happy Birthday to YOU!!
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Thank you so much! Skiing in Utah sounds awesome! Yes I agree, we need to count our blessings. Thank you for reading and commenting 🙂
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What an insightful reflective post
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Happy Birthday, and as one a few years further down the road…it’s good to feel like there’s always more to do. That you could do better, that you can do it differently, that you can grow. Because even though we wouldn’t go back and change things, it’s great to look forward with so much that you want to still do! Enjoy the road ahead!
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Thanks so much! You’re right, it’s good to feel like there’s always more to do.
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Happy birthday!
I loved reading this. I have asked that question often enough. Have I don’t enough? I asked it a lot around my own mother’s passing. I love the way your wife talked you through it. Would you have changed anything? If you can answer no then you’ve done enough.
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I suppose you’re right about that. I think I was trying to get at potential, but that too is an unanswerable question. Thank you for stopping by 🙂
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Happy Birthday, Lanny. I also have a round-number birthday coming up in June and am already feeling reflective. Your post resonates with me!
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Happy Birthday from another round-number-er! But add that next decade on. Beautiful post, reading it felt exactly like the reflecting one does, as one ponders age. And then the chin comes up and the eyes look forward! Thanks for the chance to ponder with you!
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>Not speaking of my mom, my wife asked, “Would you have traded any of that?” Inhaling deeply, I shook my head. No.<
This is all I needed to read. Each new decade brings its new challenges, but to look back and say, yes, I did well, that's all that matters.
Thank you for this reflective slice. And happy birthday! 🙂
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Happy birthday! . Your reflections made me think of what I have achieved in decades past. We need to do that.. Love your positive attitude.
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What I love most about your reflection is how what really matters shines through. The people. The love. Even though we live in a culture entirely, it seems, centred on doing, birthdays help us remember what is more important than that. This was a great insight into a moment in time in your life, and relatable to so many readers. PS I also hope your daughters continue to own the description ‘ambitious’!
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