Last Minute Gifts

My 10 year old daughter played basketball this year for the first time. In fact, it was the first time most of the girls on her team had played. Needless to say, the year started out a bit rough. The big concern was what their uniforms would look like, and how hard it was to remember to take off their jewelry. To make it worse, most of the teams they played had a few years experience palying the game.

Their first game left them completely confused. whent he referee blew his whistle, they had no idea why, nor what to do next. They expected their opponent to stay in one place, and were completely surprised when they moved to get the ball.

After that first game, my daughter took practice more seriously. She even watched a couple of games on TV with her dad to get a better feel for the game. Earlier in the season, they played one of the best teams in the league, and they lost 34 to 0. They ended up playing that very same team for their last game. A determination emerged from our girls that we had not seen before. They played their hearts out. They lost, but only 14 to 5. They could not have been more pleased with themselves if they had won the championship. That’s the way to “win the game”.

Last Sunday, my nephew turned 6 years old. He had a great party with friends and cousins and then a smaller party with family at home afterwards. His younger brother, who just turned 3, was thouroughly enjoying the fun until the presents came out. There were no presents for him, and he was devestated.

My own children are a bit older (old enough to know better), but we still seem to experience the same jealousy. Why is it so hard for kids to accept the fact that it’s not their special day and just be happy for the birthday boy or girl? Of course, I know the answer to that question. For kids, waiting a whole year for a birthday seems absolutely impossible.

My mother tries to head this jealousy off at the pass by offering the sibling a small gift “so they won’t feel left out”. It does help, but unfortunately it doesn’t cure.

The good news is that most kids actually do outgrow this phase. Take heart! Just as kids don’t graduate from high school in diapers, they also don’t (usually) pout and pitch fits at birthday parties when they are adults!

Today is my birthday, and I’m 39 years old. Really and truly, I’m 39! (These birthdays that end in a “9″ always make one sound likea liar.) Yes, I’m graying, finding more of those fine wrinkles, and it’s getting harder and harder to keep my waistline, but I’m pretty happy with 39. I may no longer be able to pass for a woman in her 20’s, but on the other hand, no one can call me young and green.

What does one get for her 39th birthday? Well, I have received an odd conglomeration of delightful gifts. My mother, always the practical one, gave me a saucepan (which I really needed) and some wine goblets to replace the ones that have been broken over the past few years. My husband and kids gave me some exercise pants to go along with my new exercise routine (remember that waistline?) and some gourmet chocolates. Yes, I know it’s a bit contradictory, but I love both gifts just the same! I also received a pair of earrings from a friend which was a very unexpected gift. But what girl doesn’t love getting jewelry!

More than that, I’m just thankful for my good health and wonderful family. And, of course, I’m thankful for one more year in the 30’s. I’m off to celebrate. No, I’m not going out to party - that’s what 29’s do. I’m going for a pedicure and some quiet moments with a good book. Someone please convince me I’m not getting “old”!