All I Need

I turned 38 last Friday.  In the past, I’ve been known to be a teensy bit high maintenance when it comes to birthdays.  I usually have the entire day planned out, starting with What We Will Eat, followed by What We Will Do (with What Angie Will Not Do closely behind), and ending with What We Will Give.  It’s loads of fun … if you’re me.

Something changed this year.  The day came and I was very laid back and roll-with-the-punches.  I think it made Mike terribly nervous, like at any moment I was going to ask him to wheel out the big cake with Colin Firth inside and he’d be empty-handed.

That’s not to say I didn’t have a perfectly lovely birthday.  We went out the evening before with my dear friends Wally and Julie.  I’ve known them for over 20 years.  When you can still count someone who’s seen you in bodysuits and big bangs as one of your best friends, who needs anything else?

The kids spent the night at my parents, so I slept in on my birthday and woke up to a quiet house.  I know in 20 years I will want to wake up to a house full of noise on my birthday, but in this season the peace is glorious.  When you have family who helps out like this over and over again, who needs anything else?

I treated myself to a sandwich that I can’t stop thinking about and the kids to McDonald’s, before heading over to Conner Prairie to see the gingerbread houses and let the kids play in the museum.  When you are blessed with a life where you can do these things on a whim with your kids, who needs anything else?

Mike fed the kids and got everyone in bed while I meandered around the bookstore and came home with some self-indulgant magazines to read in the tub.  When you have a husband who treats you well 365 days a year, not just on your birthday and Mother’s Day, who needs anything else?

Not me. Or at least, I didn’t think I did.  Until this belated gift from Mike showed up yesterday.

I’ve been asking for a Colts horse head for years.  I finally have one.  I’m a lucky girl, pushing 40, with my favorite people to call family and friends.  I truly don’t need anything else.