Happy birthday to me, and why I am glad I was born

Today is my 54th birthday - a bit daunting to realize that, one year from today, I will have burned the first half of my 6th decade...

Since I have been keeping this blog for over two years now, I have written about my birthday twice: here, and here. If you read those, you will know that, having been born quite prematurely (two and-a-half months early, and at home, and this was in 1952!), I nearly did not make it. There are no existing photos of me taken before early November, 1952, since I did not return home from the hospital until November 5, 1952. This picture, the earliest of me that I could find, was taken on November 11, 1952 - my apologies for its poor quality.

The great French romantic writer Chateaubriand wrote, when mentioning his birth: "ma mère m'infligea la vie" ("my mother inflicted life on me" - Mémoires d'outre-tombe, Livre 1, Chapitre 2), and I used to think that it was one of the most brilliant euphemisms that any writer had ever used for describing one's birth. Well, I am quite sure that many of you, just as I have, at some point in your life - most likely in a tragic moment of adolescent angst - did wish, if only for an iota of a second, that you had never been born.

Well, these days I am plenty happy that, in spite of all odds, I lived.

So, today I tried to draw up a list of reasons why I am very happy to have made it:

1. The number 1 is that, had I not been born, my daughter would never have graced this earth with her presence. And having her in my life has enhanced it greatly. Once thing for sure, once you are a parent, you can no longer afford to be selfish - which I think is a very good thing. I decided to become a parent when I realized that I would miss a large chunk of my life if I never had a child. That decision was the best one I ever made.

2. In spite of the fact that I hate waking up, I love mornings, our daily moments of rebirth. There is something incredibly fresh and invigorating about the early hours of the day, and brewing a nice pot of coffee is just icing on the cake.

3. I also like the peacefulness of my house at night. I love going to bed (especially since I got this great new one!), reading for a while, turning the light out, and going to sleep - that is, on those nights when I don't fall asleep on my book.

4. Of course, there are some definite (and, I must add, exquisite) perks not to have to spend every single one of my nights alone, and I am very grateful for that too.

5. Sure, I have encountered lots of assholes and mean people in my life - but I have also had great teachers, mentors, friends, and amazing relatives who have touched my life, and still touch it daily in very meaningful ways. Those among them who are reading this know who they are.

6. At times, life has been tough, and I have been through low moments that I thought would never end. But, in the end, everything that I have ever been through has been a useful brick in that small edifice that is my humble existence.

7. I would not deem myself "well traveled," but I have seen more of the world than many people who live on this planet. And, believe me, I have been in awe of the beauty of nature that I have seen, from the American West to the Irish countryside and the majestic Alps. I have also admired the most amazing wonders of architecture and the greatest works of art created by man (and I have yet to see Florence, Italy, and I have never even traveled to the Orient.)

8. I really enjoy those mundane things in life, like shopping for food, browsing through a bookstore, alphabetizing my CD collection, or how my house looks (and how proud I am) after I have cleaned it. Life's small pleasures can, indeed, be savored.

9. Good food keeps me plenty happy, especially when I prepare it and share it with friends. And it's even better with a cold brew, or a glass of good wine.

10. The 100 orgasms for my senses. I wrote this list on September 24, 2005. It would probably remain unchanged if I were to rewrite it today.

11. All the wonderful music that has made my spine tingle through all my living years. Books don't make me cry. Films rarely do. But music has made me shed tears on several occasions.

12. Levity, laughter, having a great sense of humor that I can share with others.

13. The fact that I have come to a point where I can really enjoy my life and find it tons of fun, mostly - in spite of small bumps along the way. I am, indeed, quite lucky to be alive.

And I will quit here, at lucky 13.

But, to conclude this post, since I watched The Last Waltz on Saturday night, and saw Bob Dylan perform this song with The Band, I will copy its lyrics below, since I strive to heed its wisdom:

May God bless and keep you always,
May your wishes all come true,
May you always do for others
And let others do for you.
May you build a ladder to the stars
And climb on every rung,
May you stay forever young,
Forever young, forever young,
May you stay forever young.

May you grow up to be righteous,
May you grow up to be true,
May you always know the truth
And see the lights surrounding you.
May you always be courageous,
Stand upright and be strong,
May you stay forever young,
Forever young, forever young,
May you stay forever young.

May your hands always be busy,
May your feet always be swift,
May you have a strong foundation
When the winds of changes shift.
May your heart always be joyful,
May your song always be sung,
May you stay forever young,
Forever young, forever young,
May you stay forever young.