That's right people, today is my birthday.
When I was in grade school mom used to let me stay home on birthday, she'd take me out to baskin robbins for mint chocolate chip ice cream cones and to the roller skating rink off Franconia Road. I got whatever I wanted for dinner and most everyone in the family was nice to me. (Being the youngest in a large family, this was the biggest deal of all).
Starting in high school, my oldest brother Mark was the first person on my birthday to call me. Usually by or before 6 am. The call would start with Mark asking me how old I was, I'd tell him, he'd spend 3 to 5 minutes telling me how OLD I was. Then he'd share a memory of little Cravey with me, usually the one where when I would get to crying mom would make him peddle around the court with me perched on his knee until I stopped crying, this frequently took a LONG time. I'd laugh with him, and remind him that however OLD I was, he was still 14 years OLDER. He'd tell me he loved me, and usually we made plans to get together for Mongolian barbecue.
The first year after Mark died, I couldn't answer the phone when it rang the morning of December 2nd. I wanted it to be him, knew it wasn't and wanted to believe I could make it all go away if I just didn't answer the phone.
Yesterday when I was thinking about my birthday and Mark, I decided I wanted to ask you people, my imaginary internet friends and those of you aren't so imaginary, for a gift.
If you're a brother or a sister, younger or older, call your sibling today (only children, you are not off the hook, call someone, a friend, a parent, whatever). Tell 'em you love them, make fun of them, share a laugh with them, something.
Just do it.
It'll make me feel better, and since I have a cold (which sucks, by the way), and it is my birthday (and you people aren't making me a cake) call your siblings. I miss him more than words can describe, every damn day and if I can't have him call me, I'm going to take some credit for making other people feel the way he made me feel every year.
Special, loved, and remembered.
Happy Birthday to me.
18 comments:
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, CRAVEY! I hope you feel better on your special day.
Another year passed and a new one to be better. Your request is going to keep me busy as I have 6 siblings...
If you want a cake, let me know. It would be the thought (not the taste) that counts, right? :))
Happy birthday, my friend! Bestest wishes for a year of wonderful things.
I'll call my MOM too, just for you.
Your birthday reminds me of a joke:
An old man limped into the doctor's office and said,
"Doctor, my knee hurts so bad, I can hardly walk!"
The doctor slowly eyed him from head to toe, paused, and
then said, "Sir, how old are you?"
"I'm 98," the man announced proudly.
The doctor just sighed and looked at him again. Finally he
said, "Sir, I'm sorry. I mean, just look at you. You are
almost one hundred years old, and you're complaining that
your knee hurts? Well, what did you expect?"
The old man said, "Well, my other knee is 98 years old too,
and it doesn't hurt!"
Here's to you not developing any more 'hurts'!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!
Littlest sis is 14 years younger than me, I'll call her today and remember you and your brother Mark while doing so.
Time for cake!
Stopped by from Tiff's to wish you a happy birthday!
I hope you feel better soon Cravey. Colds are nasty. And have your normal melancholy birthday. I guess, in a way, it's a tribute to Mark that you feel this way every year.
I had a cake all picked out, but then you went and got sick. And nothing tastes worse on top of a cold than cake. Except maybe...well, nevermind.
But anyway, even though Mark's not here to do it, I hope you still feel special, loved, and remembered. 'Cos, you're all of that for sure. And more.
Happy Birthday, from me and the visitors to Casa Mojo. I'll try and keep 'em outta your soup, but you know how houseguests can get.
Many happy returns of the day, dude, and I call my brother, Fathead, ALL THE TIME.
Yesterday, he texted me every time he took a dump. He just quit smoking, and apparently feels that that has led to more dumpage.
I, of course, mocked him heartily, then texted him when I took a dump.
Tiff left the door open so I came in, Happy Birthday!!
ironically....
i am an only child and i still called my sister to tell her happy day and that i love her.
i wasn't first though....though you almost heard from me at 7 am.
xoxo
Well, it wasn't Mongolian barbecue, but the company I had was absolutely wunnerful! I hope your once-a-year day was as great for you as it was for me. Friends forever, Cravey my dear...... Hope you had a happy happy.
Happy birffffffday to you...happy birfday to youuuuuuuuuuuu...
You get the picture. Have a great one. And feel better! Because sick on your birthday is the suck.
Despite your cold, please have the happiest of birthdays! I'm sorry for being so late to get here to tell you that.
awwwwwww shucks guys.
Thank you. Thank you all.
It was a good day, sniffles and hacking cough aside.
Thanks people!
jc
Awww, and I was JUST in your neck of the woods, too. Happy Birthday, Internet buddy! I hope you're feeling better and celebrating well. :)
Your story about your brother was so sweet. Made me wish once again for a better relationship with both my errant brothers. Nevertheless, there are my children and mom and I talked with all of them yesterday and nearly everyday.
Sorry to hear of your cold, glad your b-day was enjoyable.
Many happy returns of the day and beyond.
Tiff sent me, glad she did.
Happy happy birthday,
that's what I wish for you
And I even hope that
you don't step in any poo
/sung badly, just for you
//called my sister yesterday for HER birthday
///she got the same song on her voice mail
It's been 10 days of post-birthday silence. Time for an update!
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