Thursday, July 15, 2010

Thursday Thinking—Birthday Bullets

• Today’s my 48th birthday. I love birthdays. I don’t even need to do anything special, it just feels good to know I was born, have another year in front of me and another one behind me.

• Ray called and left me a message yesterday that said, “Janey Payney, you are a very important person to me; therefore I wanted to be the first to wish you a happy birthday tomorrow . . . I understand you are approaching 50, but you are not 50 yet . . . You are going to be like wine or cheese and get better with age. I sure love you and I can’t wait to see the aged Janey Payney.” Several hours later when I talked to him I asked, “Ray, what does old cheese look like?” He said, “Wrinkled. Hard. Moldy. Why?”

• Ty wrote me an e-mail this morning that said, “This is the only year where you will be twice as old as me. Before you were always more than that, and after, you will always be less. So in a way, it is like you are getting younger.” Now that’s certainly one way to look at it. He also included fifteen of his favorite memories.  Two of them were:  ~Meeting you for (general) conference my freshman year (at the academy). I stunk, you stunk, and everyone let us know that it was a problem. (Ty’s coat. My shoes. Pew. The memory is still odorous . . . and funny.)  ~I love that you used to read out loud to us. We loved hearing Mrs. Piggle Wiggle and other books like that. You encouraged us to read as well. I also fondly remember that you willingly listened to Ande and I read Harry Potter out loud to you even though you had no desire to listen to it. You knew it was important to us, so you made it important to you.

• On the kids’ birthdays Calvin always says, “Jane, tell them what it was like the day they were born” and we retell their birth day. The kids have heard those stories 27, 25, 24, and 21 times. One year on my birthday Calvin said, “Kids, I’m going to tell you what it was like when your mom was born.” And since he was raised in Arizona and I was born in Idaho, I don’t know where he got his information. “This is what it was like. It was a hot day because it was in the middle of the summer. She was born in the middle of the day. When she came out she took one look around, smiled at the doctor, and said, ‘Hi! My name is Jane! What can I do to help?’ And that’s the story of when she was born.” I had forgotten about it until Ray and Cali called this morning to wish me a happy birthday. Cali started laughing and said, “Ray, I have to tell you about the day my mom was born . . .”

• Grace asked me what she could cook for my birthday supper. I requested her manicotti, it tastes so good. She is making it as I type. She could be a food show host. She is wearing a long purple pregnancy shirt with an empire waistline and scooped neck, leggings, pretty jewelry, and has her hair fixed. All she needs is a microphone.

• Abe called to wish me a happy birthday. It is so funny to watch him on Skype. He fidgets the whole time. Grace mentioned to me the other day she finally figured out why their baby moves so much after watching Abe on the computer camera. The technicians are always telling the baby to please quit moving. (You should have seen the baby during the ultrasound when she had the hiccups the other day, it was pretty funny.)

• Back to Abe’s wiggling phone call . . . he is planning a family trip for Calvin’s and my 30th anniversary in a few years. He is one great event planner. It is a talent I never suspected in him. Which just goes to prove your mother doesn’t know everything.

• Ande has called me several times today and each time said, “It’s your BIRTHDAY!” punched full of enthusiasm. And that was all she called to say each time. She made sure one of the calls was at 2:19 p.m. so that I would know she was thinking of me the exact time I entered this world. She is a gift all in herself.

• I can’t tell you about Calvin’s gift. All I can say is it was funny. Very, very funny.

• Happy Birthday to me. It’s my birthday.

21 comments:

Ande said...

Mom! IT'S YOUR BIRTHDAY!

I'm glad you were born.

It's one of my favorite things that has happened in this world.

I think you're great. It's your birthday.

Carolyn said...

Oh I'm so happy you love birthdays! I love them also. Happy birthday, Jane! We were all blessed when you were born!

Tiffany Fackrell said...

happy happy birthday!!!

UM...Can I come to dinner? Pretty Please!

Leslie said...

I think the world received one terrific gift the day you were born!!! Have a truly wonderful birthday - you deserve it in every way.

Michelle said...

Happy birthday Jane- God certainly gave us all a great gift when he sent you on this day 48 years ago. He knew then all the good you would do and he was proud of his creation!

Jill said...

I aspire to be like you Jane, and birthdays are just one more area. I would love to be able to say, "I love birthdays. I don’t even need to do anything special, it just feels good to know I was born, have another year in front of me and another one behind me."

I love everything your family said and did for you, but I'm oh so curious about Calvin's gift.

Lucy said...

I adore you, Jane. I am very, very glad that the world enjoys your presence. What a Happy Birthday!!!!

Deanna/Mimi said...

Oh to be 48 again. Lucky you. You are still a babe...but a very intelligent, gracious, lovely and admirable one. I concur with what others have said and that is the world is a better place because you are in it. I thank God for your giving and loving nature. HAPPY BIRTHDAY.

Mike and Lisa said...

Haha, I loved Calvin's story of the day you were born.

Happy Birthday!

Cassidy said...

Happy Happy HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

I love you.

Kay Scott said...

Happy Birthday!! Ditto to the comments about how you are a gift to all of us. Glad you had a fun day. (I think we need a little hint as to Calvin's gift.)

melanie said...

Today is definitely a special day. I'm so blessed to call you friend. Love you so much Jane!

Becky said...

Happy Birthday!! I smiled through your whole post :)

Katie said...

Happy Birthday!!! =-)

Cali said...

I still laugh about dad's story of when you were born. It is one of those jokes that NEVER stops being funny. I also loved what Ande did for you. She is so aware of other's needs. I love you mom. Thank you for being my mother. You are also one of my most favorite things that has happened in this world.

Cali

Amy said...

Now you've just got me all intrigued about Calvin's gift! Happy, Happy birthday to you yesterday. I'm so glad to get these sneak peaks into your amazing world.

Marie said...

I loved the mathematical proof that you are, from now on, getting younger.

You are a joy. Happy Birthday!

Price Cream Parlor said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!! Hope you had a lovely day!

hennchix said...

Happy Happy Birthday Janey Payney dear! Happy days will come to you all year!! If I had one wish, then it would be, a happy happy birthday to you from me!!!

PS: My word verification is thdocr (aka the doctor) because you are such great medicine when I am sad!!

Nanci said...

Happy Birthday. Your kids sure love you.

michelle said...

Oh, I love this! I enjoy it when people love birthdays, I hope I always will. Calvin's story about the day you were born seems pretty right on to me!

I'm impressed that Ande called right when you were born. I have no idea the time my mother was born!