Monday, April 26, 2010

The Wheel turns and I am another year older.

As a small child, one of the reasons why I wasn't so fond of Anzac Day is that my birthday, following immediately after, sometimes felt a bit like an afterthought.  As both my parents played in Highland Pipe Bands (it's how they met, but that's a story for another day), both children of war veterens, and my dad a member of the Army reserve and Army Band, Anzac Day was usually busy, with marches and parades and playing at various venues, and I always felt that my birthday got overshadowed.  But the upside is that, whenever Anzac Day falls on a Sunday, I get a public holiday on Monday all to myself!

So I took my family off to the local park for an afternoon tea party picnic, including a camp stove, kettle and the best china, iced cup cakes and jam tarts, and of course, all dressed up.  It was about time I found another occasion to wear the top hat.  Unfortunately the one thing we forgot to check was whether the camera was charged, so only got one photo!  Ah well, it's not about taking pretty pictures, it's about enjoying the moment, which we did.
Mum and dad dressing up for the occasion too.  I think we should do this more often, sometimes we Aussies are just too casual!

I wonder what this year will bring?  I think middle-age is an attitude, and as such I've just decided not to have that kind of attitude.  Mostly I still feel somewhere between 17 and 21.  I had my "Lucy Jordan" moment a few years ago.  Woke up in the middle of the night (well, about 2:15am I think) with the sudden, profound realisation that I was 37.  This seemed so terribly important that I actually woke Beloved up and said "Do you realise I'm the same age as Lucy Jordan?!"  There was a sort of 'hurrumph', a pause, and then somewhere from beneath the quilt came the muffled reply.  "So you'll never drive through Paris with the warm wind in your hair.  Could be worse!"  And I guess he's right.  I'll probably be waking him up in 20 years time to ask him "will you still need me..?!"

13 comments:

KeLLy aNN said...

Happy Birthday!
what a wonderful way to celebrate.
Glad you had fun

Jess said...

Happy birthday Christina! :o) x

Danielle Barlow said...

Happy Birthday! xx

greenest mermaid said...

Yay April Birthdays!!
Happy Birthday!! :)
Looks like you had a great time!

Unknown said...

Happy, happy birthday, Ren x

Emerald Window said...

Happy Birthday Dear Girl! I'm glad you had a special day aside from Anzac day.
I had never heard the Ballad of Lucy Jordan before, nor do I consider 37 to be middle aged (unless you only plan to live to 74). At 52, I am still 22 on the inside. That's the good news that they don't tell you when you're young. The outside ages, but the inside doesn't. Enjoy every year.
Cenya

Ruthie Redden said...

wishing you the happiest of birthday wishes. It is odd isn't it how we can feel such a different age to the one we are, im going to be 48 this year and i have to stop and think every time as i feel about 30ish all the time lol I love that your family all dressed up for u, and i so love to see you in your hat! x x

Claire Dean said...

Happy Birthday!That looks like an amazing picnic :) Hope the year ahead brings you lots of happiness. xxx

Windsongs and Wordhoards said...

Hope you had a lovely birthday!
Your children look adorable in their posh frocks and bonnets!

A mermaid in the attic said...

Thanks all! I think 44 will turn out to be a good year!

Michelle said...

Happy Birthday a day late, but it seems like you had a wonderful time! And the top hat was essential!

Anonymous said...

ahhh lucy jordan....yes i remember her from when i was 37 six and a half years ago...so long ago. he reached out and offered me his hand too...

you all look wonderful for the picnic and your dad in particular, very dapper!

so glad you enjoyed the moment...photos are SO over rated :-p

A mermaid in the attic said...

Oh don't be cheeky A. Nonymous...you're only a month and a half behind me! ;-)

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