Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Today's My Birthday

Today is my birthday.

In a way, I got the best birthday gift ever, from Leo, last night. He's been thinking that we, all three of us, could go to Europe next year!!!

I love to travel. I have not had the chance to travel for over twenty years. I yearn for it. I miss it. I miss it every.single.day. I've missed it every single day for a couple of decades now.

I almost squealed when he said it. Especially when he said the word "London" and then "Paris".

O.M.G.

Leo has never before uttered the word "vacation" without the word "Disney" preceding it.

This is all pie-in-the-sky planning at this point. This may not happen. But that Leo is even talking about it...holy cow. You could have knocked me over with a feather.

If only he could get a job. If only we had the money. I have no idea how he thinks we can afford it. Because we so cannot afford it. But just that he is even willing to plan it...whether it happens or not...wow, it would be so cool to travel with people I love. People I LOVE. Have you ever traveled? In a group? With people you know from school? Or with strangers? Or alone? So not the same. No where near the same.

This is huge. Imagine traveling with people you LOVE. To a foreign country. For no reason other than to spend time together, as a family, in a different place, experiencing it together. Are you kidding me?!!

Best birthday gift EVER. Just the thought of it. Wow. It'll never happen. I have to keep saying that, to keep myself grounded, to keep myself from getting carried away. Oh, but the thought. What a fantasy. Way better than anything else I'm dreaming about otherwise. I would stay in my yucky-spot ("yucky-spot" = current job, IT career, no more school, no hopes of changing for the next twenty-four years...TWENTY-FOUR YEARS...oh god...dear lord in heaven...twenty-four years of this same thing...somebody get me a paper bag to stop my hyperventilation)...I would stay, I could stay, in my yucky-spot if I knew I could do things like travel to Europe with people I love, every couple of years. Every three years, even.

Anyway, today's my birthday. Leo already picked up my cake from the store, and brought home some special candles to put on it. In the shape of question marks. Smart man that he is, there are only two of them.

12 comments:

Bea said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!

And while I know it's good to manage expectations, give yourself a healthy dosage of believing the trip may happen too. Maybe you could set aside a few bucks each month towards the Europe trip fund? I want you to go, not just imagine going! It would be wonderful.

:) Hugs.

CM said...

Happy birthday!

Hey, you don't have to be stuck. I can tell you're dying to un-stick yourself, and you're just searching for the right way. It'll come.

I'm glad you got to feel so excited and happy on your birthday! Eat some cake for me.

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday!
What a fantastic idea, even just thinking about it right now! If you DO end up going to Paris and want *any* suggestions on things to do, I am a fount of knowledge :) I lived there and LOVE it!

Hope the rest of your day is wonderful!

gudnuff said...

Thank you Bea, CM and Chere. The extended family came over to sing Happy Birthday and watch me blow out my question marks. The cake was excellent. Pictures were taken. Hugs were given. It was all good. Except the getting even older part, which I'm ignoring.

Patois42 said...

Hope and fantasy. It's what every birthday girl deserves. Happy happy happy.

gudnuff said...

Thanks Patois! Hope your surgery goes well, no, is a super success today. I'll be thinking about you.

Unknown said...

Happy Belated Birthday!!!!

I think going to Europe with people you LOVE would be so wonderful. Maybe creating a budget (by surfing all the sites to gather info about airfare, hotels, cars) and deciding how much to save per month, for how many months will make it possible.

I have traveled with friends and left my husband at home (this was before having kids) and I SWORE I'd never travel to wonderful places without my husband ever again.

Good luck!

Lawyer Mom said...

Happy Birthday. Stay positive. Good thoughts bring good things.

As Cape Cod Turns said...

Bon Anniversaire! (That's happy birthday in french!) I hope you make the plan reality!!!!

Mama Dawg said...

Happy Belated! Awesome present. Sorry I'm not more chatty. I'm exhausted.

Wait. What? said...

Happy belated Day to you and Great gift!

Unknown said...

I am a BAD BAD BAD Bloggy Buddy! I am SO sorry I missed your birthday! See this is what I get for getting so behind in my reader! (insert hand smack here). I hope you had a wonderful day!