I’ve always loved my birthday! There’s something very special about having one day a year to celebrate a day that’s focused mainly one person: YOU. There’s cake, presents, friends, and if you are lucky you’ll get to have many “one day a year” celebrations. Not all are granted that privilege unfortunately. I think what I liked so much about my birthday was that it was just after Christmas. As the hustle and bustle of the season winded down, BOOM, there was my birthday. It was like a surprise party year after year. Old Christmas Day was January 6th and my birthday was on the 10th. Now, just because my birthday was so close to Christmas didn’t mean the birthday presents were any less substantial! I remember getting some pretty awesome stuff over the years. Did I mention cake? Mom would always make a chocolate cake with homemade icing and put those sugar letters on it that spelled out ‘Happy Birthday’. Remember those? They’d be on a cardboard sheet that you’d have to put a damp cloth on the back of to get the letter candies off. That was the ultimate gift.
As the years went by the birthdays were a little more elaborate and I had a few actual surprise parties along the way. There were no elaborate trips, pool parties or hotel stays for me and my closest pals; that wasn’t even a thing back then. Instead we’d play Pass the Parcel, Lucky Cup, Guess the Number of Toothpicks in the Orange etc. Those were the days when things were much simpler and there was no pressure to outdo the last party. Sandwiches, homemade cookies and cake was all we needed for a good time.
Another bonus was that Dad’s birthday was just three days before mine. We liked sharing a close birthday. I always like to think I was his birthday gift…just a few days late! 🙂
As the years ticked by I made it to my twenties, thirties, forties and then the dreaded “F” word happened – FIFTY. People say it’s only a number but I have to admit, 50 is a tough one. When you’re in your twenties and you double your age you’ll be in your 40’s. Same thing when you double thirties, you’ll be in your 60’s and so on down the line. It seems like you’ve still got half your life left to live. Now what happens when you double 50’s? You’ll be in the 100’s. What?!?! Realistically, who lives into their hundreds? Not many, that’s for sure; they’re a rare breed. I know the logic behind the doubling of your age doesn’t always make sense but that’s how my brain works.
These next few snaps are from my 4th birthday. I actually remember some details about that day, more specifically the song I was dancing to when mom came in and took my picture. It was a song on the record player by Shaun Cassidy called “That’s Rock N’ Roll”. I LOVED that song. Still do!
January birthdays are great but not so much when you wanted to have an outdoor party. Needless to say those “outdoor parties” didn’t exist in the cold and blustery months of winter. My cousin Cindy’s birthday was in June and I remember going to her outdoor birthday parties and it was so much fun! I must admit that I was a little jealous of those summer parties. Maybe that’s part of the reason why winter is my least favorite season. As I’ve mentioned on several occasions in previous blogs, I have a disdain for winter, to put it mildly. But, having said that, winter does make for some lovely photographic opportunities. I realize we are in spring mode now and we are greatly anticipating the warm and sunny days ahead, so please forgive me for posting snow photos. Then again, this is Newfoundland so it’s not outside the realm of possibility to have snow in May and June.
The pictures below are from my birthdays over the years. You’ll notice in a few pictures that there is one single tapered candle on the cake. One year someone in the family was celebrating a birthday at Mom and Dad’s house. We didn’t have any candles so she improvised. That became a running joke for many years.
Despite the winter birthdays, one thing I can always count on is warm wishes and celebrating with family and friends. Oh and some delicious cakes were devoured as well. Maybe I should look on the bright side: As I age, the number of candles on the cake will increase so it will definitely heat things up.
My cousin Elizabeth gave me a card “Fifty is only 14 in Scrabble” which inspired this blog! I’ve thought a lot about it and although it would be fun to revisit 14 I certainly wouldn’t want to live my life from that point onward today, too much pressure on teenagers and having to live life through social media. Thank goodness cell phones didn’t exist back in my day; no camera = no evidence (God, I sound old)!
It’s been a while since my last blog post and I apologize for that. There have been many changes going on in my life and one thing I can clearly state is that I’m not a fan of change. There’s been 50th and 60th birthdays, retirements, new jobs, new routines and so on. It has taken me a while to wrap my head around all that. I guess that’s life. But if the next 50 years are as interesting as the last 50 have been then I must admit it’ll be a pretty sweet life and I’m very grateful to get to live it with my family and friends by my side.
Until next time!
Andrea
*** If you made it this far, I thank you. Please check out my Facebook page Andrea Peddle Photography. Feel free to like the page and share with your friends! Thanks.
Awesome blog as usual, your pictures are great, fifty is a great age. Mind you now your aunt will soon be turning eighty, now what do you think of that.
Great blog and beautiful pictures as usual. Birthdays are wonderful and should always be celebrated . You guys do a great job celebrating all important occasions . Keep the celebrations going !!!
As usual,great blog,wonderful pics. 50 is still only a number,and I’m sure that you will continue to live life to the fullest for the next 50. Until the next blog,love and best wishes.