Last week I shared my blues about my upcoming birthday and I’ve been thinking about ways that I could cheer myself up and still celebrate this year. I haven’t really come up with anything concrete yet, but wanted to share what my ideal birthday would look like…

I would have the day off (I always request my birthday off so I don’t have to work, though there have been times I’ve worked for a company where that wasn’t possible). My morning would start with waffles with strawberries and whipped cream or a dish of fresh fruit. Nothing about my day would be scheduled to the clock so that I could just drift and enjoy.

I would receive flowers and heartfelt meaningful gifts from family and friends, maybe some chocolate covered strawberries or a fancy caramel apple (ones that I did not need to purchase for myself or drive the person to the store to get).

The afternoon would be spent somewhere near water- the beach, the lake, a boat, even a swimming pool would work in a pinch. I would have a picnic with cheeses and fruit and crackers, maybe some wine or champagne. And I would have a book to read while I soaked up the atmosphere.

The evening would be spent at home or a close friend’s house, either alone or with a very small select group of people who love me (I don’t do well in large social settings). Dinner would be simple, either a beautiful pasta dish with crusty garlic bread and a tossed green salad or gourmet burgers with blue cheese and bacon.

Dinner would be followed by my favorite cake, not the one I usually settle for because no one else likes it. It would be a white cake with raspberry filling and whipped cream icing (lemon filling would be acceptable as well).

There would be no tension, no running people on errands, no arguments about what people want to eat or why they don’t want to eat in a restaurant. (Seriously if the birthday person does not want to go out, don’t force them to or hold it over their head later, some of us just prefer not to eat in restaurants).

That would be my perfect day, birthday or not. It’s not happening any time soon, but maybe someday this will be how I’m able to celebrate (though I think even then, I’ll be buying my own food and gifts).