This is the first year since 2001 that I have felt comfortable telling others that today is my birthday. The joy of having a birthdays, anniversary, or other yearly celebration occurring on September 11th changed forever after 9/11. The first few years, I refused to even acknowledge the day of my birth. I celebrated to make others happy either the day before or the day after but really wanted no part in even having a birthday.
Last year, my dear friend Joy, a Kindergarten teacher at my school, found out when my birthday was. When I arrived with my preschoolers to do my weekly Handwriting Without Tears lesson in her class, she surprised me with a birthday crown. She had all of her children sing Happy Birthday to me and then had them all give me hugs. It meant the world to me.
This year, I thought I was going to miss out since we do our lessons together on Tuesdays. She did not forget. I got my crown and my song, and lots of hugs. I became a little emotional trying to explain just how much it meant to me to hear her children sing in my honor (three of them being my former students).
Happy Birthday to me...thank you Joy!
Comments (17)
Happy birthday, sweatheart.
Posted by Amy | September 11, 2008 2:28 PM
Posted on September 11, 2008 14:28
Um, Sweetheart, not sweatheart! LOL
Posted by Amy | September 11, 2008 2:28 PM
Posted on September 11, 2008 14:28
Wishing you all the best, a wonderful day and many blessings.
Buon compleanno!
Posted by María I. | September 11, 2008 4:11 PM
Posted on September 11, 2008 16:11
Happy Birthday!!! What a special surprise . . . you deserve to be happy and to celebrate your birthday on the actual day. I'm glad you decided to let us all know. Enjoy the rest of your birthday!
Posted by Kathy (Trekcapri) | September 11, 2008 4:28 PM
Posted on September 11, 2008 16:28
Amanda (http://lifeandtimesofanewnewyorker.blogspot.com/) wrote this on her blog today...
"Today is also a happy day. Well at least for me because it's my husband's birthday. And I celebrate his life. I think the celebration of life is even more poignant on this day.
So always remember the eleventh of September. But also remember to cherish life."
I thought that was a beautiful thought.
Happy Birthday!!
Posted by softdrink | September 11, 2008 4:31 PM
Posted on September 11, 2008 16:31
Happy birthday you wonderful, fantastic woman! Woo hoo! Hope your day is just great! :)
Posted by Leslie | September 11, 2008 6:02 PM
Posted on September 11, 2008 18:02
Happy birthday, happy birthday, happy birthday!
In a way, I think that it's quite an honour to have your birthday on this memorable day.
Wishing you nothing but the most fabulous of fabulous years, beginning today!
Hugs,
Brenda
Posted by Brenda | September 11, 2008 6:03 PM
Posted on September 11, 2008 18:03
Happy Birthday. I'm wishing you a wonderful year.
Posted by Marta | September 11, 2008 8:06 PM
Posted on September 11, 2008 20:06
Thank you so much everyone! I appreciate all of your comments. I realized tonight that I hardly knew most of you a year ago and didn't know a few of you at all. Blogging has given me the gift of many new friends! I want to thank all of you for your friendship and well wishes. This was a happy birthday and one I will remember.
Jill, thanks for the link. I left a comment on her blog as well as a comment on Trish's blog.
Posted by girasoli | September 11, 2008 9:28 PM
Posted on September 11, 2008 21:28
Happy birthday, you sweet person. Lots of love and warmth coming your way. My favorite thought of you is seeing you before you saw me, walking around acqui, left and right, and then your smile.
:)
Posted by diana | September 12, 2008 2:14 AM
Posted on September 12, 2008 02:14
Thanks for sharing this. I love that crown and the thought of a bunch of little kids singing to you!
Posted by Annie | September 12, 2008 5:03 AM
Posted on September 12, 2008 05:03
Happy, happy birthday, Girasoli! That really is beautiful story, it sounds like you work with some wonderful children (and Joy does sound very dear!)
You really are a great person (and a great photographer!) and I wish you all the best, on your birthday and every day.
Posted by sandrac | September 12, 2008 8:19 AM
Posted on September 12, 2008 08:19
Girasoli: Hau`oli la hanau! A day late but nonetheless warmest wishes! Menehune
Posted by menehune | September 12, 2008 8:40 AM
Posted on September 12, 2008 08:40
What a wonderful post! Thanks for being my blog friend.
Posted by Chiocciola | September 12, 2008 5:10 PM
Posted on September 12, 2008 17:10
Happy Birthday!!!
Posted by tnchick | September 12, 2008 6:00 PM
Posted on September 12, 2008 18:00
Thank you again everyone! It really means a lot to me to be wished Happy Birthday from all of you!!
Posted by girasoli | September 12, 2008 7:28 PM
Posted on September 12, 2008 19:28
Happy late birthday.
But it's never too late for warm wishes. Hope you had a wonderful day.
Posted by jgk | September 13, 2008 8:17 AM
Posted on September 13, 2008 08:17