Thursday, December 27, 2007

One More Candle

Birthday Past

My out-of-town company left on today’s morning flight. The house has been full all week…full of laughter and good conversation and the sweet aroma of lemon cake baking in the oven. My dogs were completely spoiled by the extra hands available for petting, throwing balls, and dispensing treats. It was a busy, slightly crazy, extremely entertaining holiday.

Now it’s quiet for the first time in days and, although I thoroughly enjoyed the visit, it feels good to settle and be still for a while. The TV and the stereo are off. The only sounds I hear are the hum of the refrigerator, an occasional swishing of hot glycol through the baseboard pipes, and the soft rhythmic breathing of two sleepy dogs stretched out at my feet. I like it like this.

As I sit here snuggled up on the couch, my mind keeps going back to yesterday. It was my birthday. Maybe I’m getting to the age that I should be trying to forget that I’m aging rather than drawing attention to it, but that just doesn’t seem to matter right now. In my mind, birthdays should be less about keeping track and more about celebrating what all those candles really represent—life!

I did some reading about the history of the birthday celebration and discovered that there is a lot of superstition behind many of the traditions that we hold dear today. For example, it was believed that the laughing and singing associated with a birthday party could ward off evil spirits. And even the flames and smoke of birthday candles were thought to have much the same effect.

Although I’m not superstitious, I do agree that being able to share the day with others is a powerful thing. My birthday was peppered with phone calls from family members and friends that I love. Better than little wax torches on a cake, those are the real candles of my life—the people who brighten my existence with their care and understanding. As I think back on the years that have passed and look forward to those ahead, I am extremely grateful for the individuals that have and will share the journey.

To each of the candles in my life…your light and warmth mean more than I can express. Thank you for being who you are and for sharing that gift with me.

12 comments:

  said...

"...the real candles..." What a great metaphor!

Like you, I, too, enjoy my quiet time (with cats, dogs aren't feasible).

Happy Birthday! (& Happy New Year)

Kimberlee said...

Hi, Lesle. Thank you for the sweet thoughts! Yes, quiet moments are a very good thing...especially after a string of hectic ones! :)

I hope you have a wonderful 2008 with lots of "candles" to brighten each day.

Anonymous said...

I hope your birthday cake was as good as it looked.

Laurie

Kimberlee said...

Hi, Laurie! Thanks for dropping by! That cake was the creation of Patuk, my friend Gail's daughter. It was just as sweet as the person who baked it. :)

It was really great to hear from you! I hope you'll visit again soon.

Anonymous said...

As you consider me a candle in your life, I consider you one in mine. Thank you for the light that you share.

Kimberlee said...

Thank you, Johnny! You are definitely one of the candles...with a little bit of firecracker thrown in! :)

Have a Happy New Year!

Steve said...

Very nice posting, Kimberlee, as yours always are. In a few short months you have developed what must be one of the best blogs anywhere on the internet, truly book-quality writing, photos, and thematic consistency. Congratulations!

And I'm glad you had a good birthday, too.

Anonymous said...

That is really generous praise, Steve. Coming from a true artist, such as yourself, I'm not even sure how to respond except to say THANK YOU!

And my birthday was very nice...thanks to good friends and loving family scattered across the world!

Kathy said...

I wish a wonderful new year to my dear friend that includes continued friendship, love and peace of heart and topped off, of course, by another birthday.
I'll be talking to you soon, my friend.

Anonymous said...

Hi, Kathy! Hey, I see you've opened a Blogger account. I can't wait to see what you do with it!

Thank you for persevering with the comment process...I KNOW it can be a pain. And thanks for just stopping by in spite of your demanding schedule/life!

Your friendship is really precious to me, Kathy. Thank you for the beautiful New Year's wishes. May your year be full of the same! And let's connect again soon!

Anonymous said...

Hey, Kimberlee! Everytime I check out your blog, the pictures make me want to jump on in and visit. I hope this new year and new year of life bring you a lot of happiness!

Anonymous said...

Well, you just jump on in anytime, Jamie! :) We really do need to set up a visit on the phone sometime soon...the next-best-thing to being there, ya know! I hope for you lots of the same...a year filled with lots of happiness and real joy. Thanks for being in touch!