The Party Monkey

Since 2000, I have spent every birthday struggling to enjoy my day only to feel like nothing can light the darkness inside. I have failed each year even though each year I promise myself that I am going to do something super fun, and then I don’t. I find a reason to sit in my misery.

This year, I finally did something different. I hadn’t planned on it, but I had a party. We only had two guests. Turns out that was perfect!

It all started when my mom planned a fairy garden party for the weekend before my birthday. All was well until global warming activated a Pacific Coast hurricane and that brought rain. So much rain. This meant she would have to cancel her party and she was so sad. I couldn’t handle her sad face, so I told her that if she rescheduled for my birthday week, we could get a cake and celebrate with her friends. I was willing to do this because my Mom is awesome and I knew the ladies so it wouldn’t be awkward.

From there, the plans took off and got fancy. I decided they world walk into a surprise birthday party. I don’t like parties or surprises, but they do! I also enjoy giving gifts to people, so I made earrings for them and Mom chose pretty crystal perfume bottles.

We got cute tissue paper and carefully wrapped the items and packed them into pretty gift boxes. We also did some light decorating, rearranging our plants to emphasize the Garden theme.

For food, we had a charcuterie board with SO many snacks from Brie to tea. We ate so many different foods. Of course I had a cake and while it wasn’t the best, it was great with fruit and friendly conversation.

After eating, we moved to the pool area and sat around the edge of the pool and put our feet in. We even got a nice picture of us. A great memory for sure.

Eventually, we made it to the fairy Garden and over to the side yard. The ladies got a chance to see my life’s work, all of the plants I have cared for since 2000. Most important, Mom had a good time and she was very happy that I chose to share my birthday joy with her and her friends. That alone is worth the trouble.

If you find you are stuck in a place where you have the desire and ability to move foward but not the mental
energy, do it for someone you really love who will benefit from a change of your life. It probably won’t be comfortable. It might drain your energy. Change takes action but once the ball is rolling, it is easier to take subsequent steps toward the new self.