Anticipation or Dread?
“What we anticipate… or dread… every single year.”
We all experience one of these emotions when approaching this milestone in our lives, depending on where we are on our life journey.
When I was younger, like most young people, I couldn't wait for this day to arrive. I wanted that day to hurry up and get here.
The day couldn't come soon enough. Nothing could make it happen faster. No matter how hard we tried, it didn't matter.
It comes in its own time. No one can rush or delay it.
When you're older, some wish to delay it.
But the day will inevitably come whether we want it to or not.
We are not in control of that day—we face it with anticipation or dread, depending on where we are in our lives at that moment.
Everyone will face it.
When we were younger, we always wanted to be older. As we age, most of us wish to be younger.
It depends on your perspective.
Younger life moves too slowly.
Older life moves like a blur.
Time is relative to the stage of life you're in.
“So, what am I talking about—something anticipated or dreaded?”
If we are still alive, we all have them.
BIRTHDAYS!
Yes, they can be the most wonderful day of the year or the most dreaded day.
There is nothing we can do to speed it up or slow it down—or, better yet, make it not happen at all.
But if birthdays didn't come for you, it wouldn't matter. It would mean you're no longer here on this earth.
“With each one, I realize that God's not done with me yet.”
I still have something to do here on planet Earth. What, I don’t know. But the mystery is something I look forward to—come what may. And for that, I’m thankful.
Thankfully, we don't experience all our years' experiences, good or bad, all at once. That would be too overwhelming—it would crush even the strongest. We get to experience life in small bits and pieces throughout the year.
A Favorite Birthday
During those times, what was one of your favorite birthdays?
Mine is when I planned and organized my twin sister, Connie's, birthday party. She never got to have one of her own. Don't get me wrong—she never complained. I thought it would be an intriguing birthday gift.
So, I got our friends to go along with me, and we threw her a surprise birthday party. She got to have her own. It didn’t go exactly as planned, though. Our friends wouldn't let it be that it was my birthday, too. So, in the end, we celebrated both.
And honestly? I thought it was great. Celebrating with Connie was one of my favorite memories, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
Everyone Deserves One Day of Their Own
But I also know not everyone feels that way. Some people find it hard when they have to share their day with others, or when their birthday falls too close to a major holiday.
That’s why I think everyone should have at least one day that’s truly theirs—a day when they feel seen and celebrated.
What do you think? Are you looking forward to your day—or dreading it?