Tuesday, April 21, 2009

April 21

Uncomplicated. Pretty: always full of buds, beginning to show color. Cheerful. With rays of sunlight, if I’m lucky.

I’ve always liked April 21st.

Not too long ago, we’d make such a terrific fuss on April 21st! It was a well-planned day. I’d insist on time outdoors and most certainly we would begin and end the day with great food. In the middle, there’d be ribbons and sweet things and if this all seems terribly playful, I’d have to say that indeed it was!


I knew from the first day that I met Ed that to him, April 21st was going to be as significant as October 20th. Meaning not very significant at all.

No matter. For me, it will be a day that stands out.

This year it’s a workday, yes, there’s that. And I swear I’m seeing snowflakes outside! But, I will have some significant back and forth with daughters, I’ll pick up a small bunch of spring flowers [UPDATE: no I wont -- thank you!], and I will go out for an early dinner with Ed (the man plays volley ball Tuesdays – can’t bump into that).

I’m 56 today.

And then I’ll go back to my condo and give out my own birthday gifts to people very far away*: Fuya Mensah in Togo who needs rice, soap and sugar to replenish her store, Suweni in Indonesia who needs cacao seedlings for her family farm, Sarmes Takhmazov, a displaced person, living with his two sons in Azerbaijan, looking to buy calves.

I may browse the community of others who chose to sponsor Fuya, Sarmes and Suweni. We’re a diverse handful, but we have these people in common now and together we watch the progress they are making in their lives.

At the end of the day, I plan on popping the cork on the New York fizzy wine we bought back in March and I’ll drink a toast to their success. And to my family. And friends. And to Ed’s volley ball game. And to the year ahead.

* Microfinancing, through Kiva. Click here and take a look at the possibilities.

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16 comments:

  1. Beautiful post. Happy, happy birthday! I'll raise the glass to you this evening also.

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  2. Happy Birthday! Your posts help keep me grounded when I'm here (Madison) or far away. Thanks, Lulu

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  3. Bonne anniversaire Nina!

    Ann L.

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  4. Wonderful post! Happy Birthday, friend. Giving on one's birthday is a stroke of genius. I'm going to try it.

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  5. Happy birthday, Nina. Your posts are always so wonderful to read, and your birthday, despite none of the typical pomp and circumstance, sounds delightful. And, the flowers look exquisite. I hope you had a wonderful day.

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  6. Happy birthday, Nina dear!
    Perhaps it was your birthday that inspired me to search high & low for flowers last night... I was caught in a dream of Spring.

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  7. Happy Birthday Nina, Your thought snd pictures are a daily stop for me and many thanks. Bev

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  8. Happy Birthday, Nina! Now I know why today - of all days - I just happened to have the thought to check up on you through the blogosphere. Many happy returns!

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  9. Thiking of you while looking out reaching for those clouds to clear so you coul have the brightest evening and the most esplendid toast. You deserve that and much more. Happy happy birthday.

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  10. Janesville JulieTue Apr 21, 11:04:00 PM

    I have been enjoying your blog for a few months now and this seemed like the right time to thank you for it.
    Happy Birthday!

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  11. Happy Birthday, Nina!

    Albert Camus said: "In the midst of winter, I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer".

    "invincible summer" -- those words instantly made me think of you.

    Thank you for the inspiring post today. Giving to others on your birthday is a wonderful practice.

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  12. Enjoy your birthday week, Nina!

    Lili

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  13. Happy Belated Birthday!

    I hope I look as good as you do when I am 56!

    Cheers!

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  14. Happy Birthday, Nina! Belated as these best wishes may be. Hope you have a fabulous week!
    Amanda

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  15. All the best for you Nina...
    Enjoy you trip to Warsaw. I am always looking forward to reed your posts. Those from Poland are specially dear to me.

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