It’s my birthday today (yes, that is me shamelessly fishing for birthday wishes). Last year was my 30th, and I was far too busy to obsess over the milestone-status that is often associated with that particular birthday.
I’m also quite busy this year (moving day is in less than two weeks!), but I did have time to realize that I am now “in my 30s.” Personally, I don’t mind much. It doesn’t make me nervous, or induce a thorough check for grey hairs or wrinkles. I’m not pretending to still be 29.
No.
It’s just a little odd, I suppose. When exactly did I become this much of an adult? Does anyone else still feel like an eighteen-year-old?
Okay, I don’t exactly “still feel like an eighteen-year-old” (thank goodness), but I don’t feel 31, either. Anyways, what does 31 feel like? How do you “feel” an age? Who came up with that concept?
My mother, may she live and be well, is very “young at heart,” and it’s a pleasure (yes, I’m biased. She is my mom, after all). Some people are firmly ensconced in middle age but are still excessively immature. Then there are those who are “wise beyond their years.”
When did birthdays become such a thing anyways? In Jewish tradition, we remember a person by the day of their death, not birth. There’s something about it representing all the good (hopefully) done within a person’s lifetime (Rebbetzins, help me out here).
Well, regardless, I tend to get a little contemplative every June 15th. So, since birthdays inspire in me a little introspection, I’d say that I’m happy with where I am. I’ve come a long way, but I still have what to work on. I think that’s a good spot.
The first birthday present I’m giving myself? I’m going to sleep. It’s late (the baby was hungry).
Rivki Silver ~ thoughts & music 
Happy Birthday! Now get some sleep!
!יום הולדת שמח
Mazal tov!!
Happy birthday Rivki! I really enjoy reading you. Joan
mazel tov and may you have many more happy birthdays and always feel young at heart.
Happy birthday! I hope you enjoy the day!!
Happy birthday – may you celebrate many more happy and health ones. Every age is a good one – enjoy!
Happy Birthday!
I once wrote a post on my birthday which includes thoughts from R’ Avigdor Miller zt”l of what a person should think about on their birthday. Here’s the link.
Hope you find many reasons to be thankful today and every day!!
May you be able to look back next year at this past year and be happy with the changes you see!
Happy Birthday! Many, many more happy, healthy ones together with your family!
Thanks everyone! May you all have a lot of bracha and hatzlacha!
Happy Birthday, R! Ad 120! xoxo, M
MAZEL TOV MAZEL TOV!!! Only good things!!!
Happy birthday. Yes, someone once pointed out that Jews celebrate death days. My response to that is “groan.”
31? Oh, dear, do I feel old.
Sorry Leora! Sorry to make you groan AND feel old!
Leora-I don’t think it’s about “celebrating” death but more about doing something special on the day of a person’s death as a zechus for their neshama to go higher in gan eden. Once a person leaves this world, they cannot do anything to make themselves go up higher, only those people in this world can do things for them. So people make brachos, they say stories to remember the good things the departed did in their life…all these things help them get up to a higher level in the next world.
Hope that helps somewhat.
Better late than never: yom huledet sameach, v’ad me’ah v’esrim! :)
Bivrachah,
This Good Life
http://this-good-life.blogspot.com/2011/06/comfort-food-at-its-finest.html