I still don’t know quite what to make of having a birthday on Easter. It happened when I turned 40 which seemed prophetic. But that was a while ago when my kids still lived at home and my mom still lived. There were many jokes about being resurrected (and which parts of me would never be. My family is very funny.)

This year was very different though. First, there was only Frank there to carry the “make San feel special” burden. He did a fabulous job – I should say he does because he makes me feel special every day. And my birthday gift was a little over the top.  I asked for a counter top herb garden. I got a diamond necklace.  Okay, I guess that will do.

Easter service is always one of my favorites – I get my Alleluia’s back after a long 40 days without them.  But I felt a bit cheated because our church always goes out of the way to give birthday blessings on Sundays – it’s one of the things that drew us to the quirky little congregation:  the priest calls up everyone who has a birthday that week and the whole congregation prays for them (usually prayer 50 on page 830 of the Book of Common Prayer – feel free to look it up.  I’ll wait.) But of course with this being Easter and the most important day in the liturgical calendar, we didn’t do that part of the service. The egotistical me did have a little bit of a hard time not being the center of attention. Funny, but apparently it’s not always all about me.  Hmm.

I got lots of birthday wishes on FB and by email and text and for those I am grateful.  It’s nice to be reminded that you have connected with other human beings in such a way that they feel compelled to acknowledge a special day in your life.  My kids and brother have phoned and texted and I have been given carte blanche to make this my day as well as Easter at home. So we had champagne and Peeps for lunch.  And watched as the weather cleared from snow and sleet in the morning to cool sunshine in the afternoon.  Frank baked birthday cupcakes to have as dessert after the Easter-themed birthday dinner of lamb chops.  A hot bath tonight a few hands of cribbage (which I should win if there is to be marital harmony) and we’ll call celebration of the resurrection(s) complete.

I did have a very hoppy birthday – thanks for all the good wishes.