Tag Archives: birthdays

Among the girlfriends…reinventing yourself & happy birthday

Aly and the family in England-Tours by Mom!

Aly and the family in England-Tours by Mom!

So, there are some birthdays of note and it is becoming a habit of mine to kind of highlight the girls when I get the chance. This week, our birthday girls are celebrating a “reinventions” or “incarnations” of themselves. They have in common that their kids are growing a bit older, more independent and mom can step outside the house (and outside of themselves). They have  found great new ventures, each very different, but both well-suited.

First up is a longtime friend (anything prior to 1980 qualifies as “longtime”). Aly has been everything from parrot farmer to travel agent and everything in between. All of her experiences have allowed her to move from caterpillar, to chrysalis and finally a lovely purple butterfly-unique unto her own. Today, she has embarked upon a new direction surrounded by beloved books…school-librarian-in-training…I truly have not found her to be any happier than she is today(ok, maybe when her boys were born or her soccer team made the championships). But, babies trump all. It is her birthday and I wish her quite well! Reinvention is a great gift to give yourself.

Raggedy Ann's at Ally's Attic.

Raggedy Ann’s at Ally’s Attic.

Second, but not least (is that right?)…is Raggedy Ann… Ann Geeslin also celebrates her birthday this week. Why Raggedy Ann? It is the name of her newest “incarnation” – a fabulous booth at Ally’s Attic  in Lawrenceville. Pretty items rotate in and out, all with Ann’s special touch. You never know if you will find a “frilly” or a “macabre” tucked here and there. Her personality is playful and it shows in her choices as a collector and as a dealer. Always fun!

She can also draw, paint and craft with just a touch of whimsy that makes the ordinary quite extraordinary. Plus, she is also a great mom to an amazing kid! And her husband…not just along for the ride-they kinda like each other…really like each other, and it shows.

Ann, Kevin and Jake

Ann, Kevin and Jake

For both these birthday girls, family is the best daily gift. They live and love with family first. happyHappyHAPPYDay to Ann and Aly!

Pile on Coach Aly!

Pile on Coach Aly!

 

Special Birthday…Special Person

Finding your way in this life can take tremendous patience and a “try, try again” attitude. This attitude is pretty prevalent among those whom I am blessed to call “friend” and it takes all kinds of friends. Birthdays are a wonderful time to celebrate those gifts.Giving, especially from the heart, is certainly called for. Cards, texts and FB postings are pretty easy, but when you have the chance, something more should be written…

So, that being said, my friend Laura-who has, according to local gossip, about 19 kids-is one of those girls who keeps her finger on the pulse of many. It may be a week before a call or text is made, but she is just as likely to drop in with a bottle of wine or-even better- a granddaughter to play with. She manages to homeschool, be a hockey mom and still stay faith-filled with a study of her bible-much of which is permanently committed to her ADHD brain and useful for both a soothing balm or a competitive round of trivia. Strength is both her ally and enemy at once. Sometimes, like most moms and wives, she pushes herself beyond pain and fatigue to make certain all of her 6 “real” and the scads of “itinerant” children have food, clothing, shelter and most importantly, time & love. 

This week, it is her birthday. She is just like me and most of my girlfriends…39 and holding. I hope she takes some time to get her hair highlighted and that her family does their chores, minds their manners and remembers to hug her back when she offers her love. It isn’t much to ask, but all she would really want. Well, that and if her husband would throw some steaks on the grill…that might make her day. In the meantime, I think some of the girls and I will find some time to open a bottle in her honor…after all…birthdays are a great reason to celebrate!