Half-birthdays and Other Opportunities for Celebration

As I get older, I want to find opportunities for celebration–—dare I say it—of me. Like most others, my life has been filled with moments of joy and feelings of accomplishment, and times of grief and feelings of self-doubt. I have decided to find ways to increase the times for celebrations. I’m sure the negative experiences will take care of themselves.

As a wife and parent in my personal life, and a research director and supervisor in my work life, I participated in and often initiated celebrations of others. I enjoyed them all. Generally, they were for life’s milestones, like ages reached and weddings, or for work-related accomplishments, like promotions. Now that I am out of the formal work environment, and have passed many of my own landmarks (married with adult children), there are fewer opportunities for celebrations. I want to find ways I can celebrate myself.

I recently celebrated my half-birthday. Interestingly, when you ask a parent the age of their infant or toddler child, they are likely to report it in weeks (if the child is under 3 months of age), or in months (if he/she is under two years old). This may be because of the many important developmental milestones that occur during these short time periods. After the second birthday, generally ages are marked and discussed in terms of whole years. But I think we should look at further delineations of age at the other end of life too. For example, I think birthdays should be celebrated biannually after age 75.  After all, one is increasingly aware that the numbers left to celebrate are diminishing, so why not celebrate them in smaller increments?  I’m not talking about big get-togethers or elaborate affairs, unless that is your choice… it’s not mine. I mean simply taking note of the new milestone, congratulating yourself on reaching it, and doing something to celebrate- be it a glass of wine, a special meal, buying something you have wanted, or arranging a date with a beloved friend. Of course one can celebrate birthdays in even greater frequency, like quarterly.  But I personally would not go as far as Lewis Carroll suggested in Through the Looking Glass, celebrating an unbirthday 364 days a year. I think too much celebrating would diminish the celebratory feelings.

In my recent half-birthday celebration, I had my Google nest sing Happy Birthday to me in the morning, I met a friend for lunch, and for dinner with my husband we had some Prosecco and I blew out a candle on my blueberry pie and ice-cream dessert. A satisfying celebration indeed.

I also found other days that I can celebrate myself, days dedicated to various roles that fit me, related to my senior status. They include: Grandma’s Day (January 21), National Senior Citizen’s Day (August 21), and National Grandparents Day (September, the first Sunday after Labor Day). The UN has even declared an International Day of Older Persons, October 1. So if I feel like it, I may choose to celebrate myself on one of those days in the future. There is also an Older Americans Month, that is May, but since May has Mother’s day, perhaps that one day for celebrating me in May is sufficient. However, I can pick another one or two other days in May, and perhaps invite another Older American to celebrate with me!

There are also activities I do that have official dates of recognition. For example. I enjoy writing non-fiction, and found there is a National Authors’ Day (Nov 1).  I also volunteer with an organization serving immigrants, and recently learned about Volunteer Recognition Day (April 20).  

I conclude that I have lots of opportunities for celebration throughout the year. I look forward to them all, whether a simple acknowledgment to myself, or an event enjoyed with others.