Are happy birthdays just for kids?

Had a birthday last week. And it was a happy one. I heard from all my kids, grandkids, siblings and some friends. Got gifts, cards, calls and hugs. What more could anybody want?

But it seemed like something was missing. I think what was missing was the excitement and anticipation that used to come with that special day. Being a year older was something we looked forward to when we were kids. As a matter of fact when we were kids most of us were wishing we were older.

When I was 4, I wanted to be 6 so I could go to school like my brothers and sister. At 9, I wanted to be 10 so my age would be double digits. When I was 13 all I could think about was being 16 so I could drive. And of course from 16 on I wanted to be 21 so I would be old enough to drink legally.

Nothing can remain exciting forever. Even the electrifying glow of Christmas dims after you grow up. But there is something about the anticipation of a happy event that adds fun to your life today and excitement to your future. It gives you something to look forward to.

I guess what it boils down to is that birthdays aren't so much fun anymore when you get old.

There's no anticipation and you don't make plans for future birthdays because you don't know if you'll live long enough have another one.

I thought about all of this and decided that negative thoughts like that could ruin a birthday or any other day. So I figured I needed an attitude adjustment. My definition of old has always been, you're old when all of your body orifices either hurt, itch or leak. By that definition I'm not old.

For the past 17 years I've run (jogged) a mile, non-stop, on my birthday just to prove to myself that I could. I did it this year in 12 minutes. That's not fast and it's not great. But it's not bad for 72. I'm going to try to do it in 11 minutes next year. That's exciting and something I'm looking forward to and that makes me happy. I hope all of your birthdays are happy and exciting no matter how old you are. Keep smiling.

Linda Messmer can be reached at 812-448-8725