I agree. Approaching my 79th, I prefer thinking of my life as a continuum. The signpost along the way is just a mile marker. It doesn’t matter much. It just is/was.
I love birthdays. I especially love mine and have always loved it since I was little. As a child, I would announce "IT'S MY BIRHTDAY MONTH" the morning of September 1st. It was always a grand month, week, and day. Some of my favorite memories are from my birthday. Every birthday seems to be a milestone and I can't help but soak it in when the day comes. There were a few years that I tried to downplay my love for my birthday and act like "it was no big deal" but those bdays always ended up being a disappointment. So now I embrace my love for my birthday!! I think my birthday has always been a reason for me to take up space in this world without anyone shutting me down... i mean they couldn't... it's MY birthday! I love my birthday and will continue to celebrate lavishly. And I will carry the quote "celebrate child. take all the time (and space) you need."
My favorite three words are: Take your time. I loved this poem not only for that message, but for teaching me the Black perspective on birthdays and the need to defy history and proclaim, as you say, I’m still here! And happy birthday to your grandmother!
Wow. That poem brought up big emotions. Being raised to not celebrate too much for fear that something bad would happen. To being reminded that our ancestors didn’t even have birthdays to celebrate. To being encouraged to not only live in the moment and to take our time to enjoy it. Congratulations to you and your family to have your grandmother with you. A true blessing.
Thank you so much for sharing this beautiful poem, and the info about the 1619 airing! I don’t have the means to watch the 1619 series, so these episodes being made available is awesome!
I agree. Approaching my 79th, I prefer thinking of my life as a continuum. The signpost along the way is just a mile marker. It doesn’t matter much. It just is/was.
I love birthdays. I especially love mine and have always loved it since I was little. As a child, I would announce "IT'S MY BIRHTDAY MONTH" the morning of September 1st. It was always a grand month, week, and day. Some of my favorite memories are from my birthday. Every birthday seems to be a milestone and I can't help but soak it in when the day comes. There were a few years that I tried to downplay my love for my birthday and act like "it was no big deal" but those bdays always ended up being a disappointment. So now I embrace my love for my birthday!! I think my birthday has always been a reason for me to take up space in this world without anyone shutting me down... i mean they couldn't... it's MY birthday! I love my birthday and will continue to celebrate lavishly. And I will carry the quote "celebrate child. take all the time (and space) you need."
Thanks for sharing. <3
My favorite three words are: Take your time. I loved this poem not only for that message, but for teaching me the Black perspective on birthdays and the need to defy history and proclaim, as you say, I’m still here! And happy birthday to your grandmother!
Wow. That poem brought up big emotions. Being raised to not celebrate too much for fear that something bad would happen. To being reminded that our ancestors didn’t even have birthdays to celebrate. To being encouraged to not only live in the moment and to take our time to enjoy it. Congratulations to you and your family to have your grandmother with you. A true blessing.
Thank you so much for sharing this beautiful poem, and the info about the 1619 airing! I don’t have the means to watch the 1619 series, so these episodes being made available is awesome!