birthday Archives - So About What I Said

Thursday, January 11, 2018

What I Want My Mom to Know on Her Birthday

As hard as it is to believe (she looks so youthful, doesn’t she?), Ms. Bear has been 61 years old for 364 days already! And in that time, she’s taught me so much about life, love and the art of being a good person. She makes it all look so easy, and it made me realize something very important: There are so many things I want my mom to know, especially this year. And because I know she looooves reading blog posts about herself, here are 3 things I hope you remember, MOM…

You are magical: You are such a light in so many people’s lives. You bring this wave of positive energy with you, and it makes me smile just thinking about it. Sometimes I don’t think you realize what a wonderful impact you have on the world — or maybe you’re just too humble to admit it? Either way, the world would definitely be a much better place if we could somehow bottle up some of that magic because it could really change the world!

You are loved: I’m sure you know this already, but you have SO MANY PEOPLE around you who love you and want to support you in everything you do. Please, let those people take care of you. That’s easy said than done for you, I know, but please try. It’s OK to lean on people; you do so much for everyone else, so it’s time to let them return the favor. And, not to sound too creepy, but you know I’m your biggest fan and love you more than anything in the whole world!!!

You are my hero: I hope you’re not rolling your eyes right now and telling me, “don’t be creepy!” But it is true — you are my hero. I think of everything we’ve been through over the years — all the medical stuff, father’s death — and you’ve been my rock through it all. I wouldn’t have made it through if it weren’t for you, so I hope you know just how much I applaud you and look up to you. You are one amazing lady!!

The years? Well, they’re just flying by and I absolutely HATE that sometimes! I always say that I wish I could just stop time, if only for a day, because everything moves just too fast. So, this year, I hope my mom will slow down. Not a lot, because I know that is nearly impossible for her — if you know her, you’d know that she always has to be doing something, going somewhere, getting something done.

Please, friends, help me encourage her to just be during her 62nd year. Comment below with your best tips about slowing down and taking time to relax. After all, I can’t think of anyone else who deserves it more than she does. Happy birthday, Ms. Bear!!! We ALL love you!!!! xoxo

Tuesday, November 14, 2017

Blog Anniversary: Nine Years Ago

Wow!! Wow!! Wow!! It’s hard to believe yet another year has come and gone, but here I am, celebrating So About What I Said’s blog anniversary!!

Nine years ago TODAY, I sat at our old Dell desktop computer and wrote the first post of this very blog. I was just 27. I didn’t really know what exactly I was doing, and I most definitely didn’t know what this blog would become over the years.

But now, after 5,847 posts and one full year of being self-hosted, I’m seeing what this blog has become and, well, it floors me EVERY SINGLE DAY.

I’ve been thinking all week of how I can properly mark this anniversary. All I kept thinking, though, is that this anniversary is sort of anticlimactic. I mean, compared to next year’s 10-year anniversary (a whole DECADE?!?), nine years just kind of…falls flat, you know?

And then I realized something: You can’t have an anniversary without going through the one before it. I can’t have a 10-year without a 9-year. So this year means something. It reflects all the stepping stones I’ve walked to get here — metaphorical stepping stones, of course! In a way, I suppose, it truly validates this journey I’ve been on all these years. You know me, I’m all about keeping it real.

Speaking of real, I wanted to take an appropriate pic for this post. Above all, it had to represent me, of course. Some people try to present a meticulously flawless, perfect version of themselves online — Instagrammers, I’m looking at you with your Starbucks selfies. Me? I have no trouble presenting the real me in the above photo, which perfectly captures my life as a freelance writer. In my case, that includes my classic yellow sweater, hair that’s a bit wild and, yes, I think that’s a piece of food on my shirt! #NoShame

This space and YOU, the amazing readers who keep coming back to read about my awkwardness and outspokenness, are the true treasures of my life. I love and appreciate you more than you’ll ever know. This year alone, I’ve had some very hurtful curves thrown my way. People have tried to tell me that I shouldn’t write about my life and have minimized my job as a writer. I wish I could say I didn’t let them get in my head, but they did. For far too long. But the people who really matter and mean the most to me lifted me up! They pulled me out of that dark place and helped me realize that THIS is what I’m meant to do — to tell my story honestly and openly. Thank you for letting me do this for NINE YEARS!!! Here’s to many more years of laughing and sharing!

I LOVE YOU ALL… xoxo

Monday, October 16, 2017

My Wish For Janelle on Her 32nd Birthday

Happy birthday to the Little Blonde-Haired Girl — AKA, the BEST SISTER in the world!! I sincerely can’t believe Janelle is 32 today!! I love her so much and couldn’t be more proud of the strong woman she’s become!! Over the weekend, as I got to thinking about what I wanted to write in my annual birthday post this year, one theme quickly appeared: My wish for Janelle.

My wish for her. It’s simple, really, and it’s something I was thinking a lot about this morning as I was going through family photo albums. There are so many memories in those albums, and sometimes, it all seems like I’m looking at another family’s life. But when I saw all those snapshots of Janelle, it felt like coming home again.

One look at those photos and I see it. Janelle’s soul. Her kind, pure soul — the soul that I’ve always admired and looked up to, even though I’m the older sister.

It’s the soul that loved nothing more than new bars of soap. As a toddler, she’d line up all the new soaps she’s receive on birthdays and holidays. And, as this photo shows, sometimes she’d even fall asleep next to them. Maybe she was comforted by their heavenly aromas and cleaning capabilities.

It’s the soul that loved to read from an early age. My mom would take us to the library and check out piles of exciting books, and Janelle loved getting lost in them. Even now, reading is still one of her favorite pastimes; her favorite day of the week is when her new issue of The New Yorker arrives!

It’s the soul that loved to let loose on the playground! Janelle always listened to my mom, but anytime there was a wide open playground, my sister just had to run. I’m pretty sure this speaks to her free-spirit nature.

It’s the soul that always had a smile on her face when she was little. She may have been extremely shy, but her smile could always light up a room. When she didn’t say “hi” with words, she’d say it with a smile. Of course, you couldn’t help but smile too!

I know that Janelle worries that she’s lost that soul — you know, that innocence from childhood that once made her so happy and carefree. Well, I just want to shout it from the rooftops…

THAT SOUL IS STILL THERE!!! IT’S BEATING IN YOUR HEART EVERY SINGLE DAY!!!

I see it. Every day. I’ve watched my sister grow into such an amazing woman — someone who has overcome obstacles with strength and determination. Someone who has fought for what she wants and worked so hard for the life she wants. I thank my lucky stars every night that she’s in my life because I, too, wouldn’t be who I am had it not been for her amazing influence.

So, that soul? It’s loving and compassionate and forgiving. And, best of all, it’s still there. It hasn’t gone anywhere, and I hope Janelle knows that. I love you, Sister Bear! Keep showing that beautiful soul to the entire world… xoxo

Monday, August 14, 2017

Family Photos: Strolling Along the Lakefront

From hanging with dinosaurs to strolling along the lakefront…all in the same day!!

I’m excited to share the second part of my fun birthday extravaganza! After we ate lunch in the museum (and, let’s be honest, got over the shock of seeing SUE…), we opted for a little change of scenery in the form of fresh air and the breezy summer afternoon!!!

My mom is always talking about wanting to “go to the water” and over the years, it’s become a need for her. She finds it incredibly calming, especially during the times when our lives felt so chaotic, and you could literally see the smile form across her face the second we caught the first glimpse of Lake Michigan.

Not to mention, how perfectly was she dressed for the beach-walking occasion? She made the above pic her profile photo on Facebook and I commented, “You’re a beautiful nautical princess!!!!!” I don’t know why, but she just rolled her eyes in response and told me not to be weird. Maybe she didn’t like my compliment?

Anyway, it was fun to see my mom and sister frolic down the beach. Sadly, it wasn’t handicapped accessible, so I followed along on the sidewalk — and even managed to make like the paparazzi and get Janelle in a photo.

And, I’m usually a horrible photographer, but I’m actually proud of the way my pics turned out. Do you recognize that triangle-shaped building? You might remember it from a scene in Adventures In Babysitting, that seminal ’80s classic — a film that I’ve seen hundreds of times and it never, ever gets old.

Of course, you know I just couldn’t resist capturing that good old wind-swept look! And it was, indeed, VERY windy by the water! #HelloWindyCity

If I’ve said it once, I’ll say it again: There is absolutely nothing like summer in the city! The lights. The sounds. The energy. The exuberant fanfare. Plus, we have such wonderful memories of our time there when I was a child, despite all the hard surgeries. Honestly, going there sort of feels like going home in a way, you know? It’s almost like I can feel that former life wash over me, wrapping me up in comfort and love. It’s a really calming, peaceful feeling, which made for a wonderfully full, family-filled day!

Speaking of family, guess what?? The lovely mom wrote the first of three blog posts about her European adventure! Look for her thoughts on Paris tomorrow!!! She has some great stories and photos!!! xoxo

Friday, August 4, 2017

My 36th Birthday! And Feelings…

Apparently, I started this tradition last year, so I figured it’d be best just to keep it going. It’s officially 8:49 a.m., which means it’s MY 36TH BIRTHDAY!!

I know what you’re thinking — “how does she maintain her downright youthful glow??” I mean, you’re sort of right about the youthful part, seeing as how I actually look the same today as I did in my senior portrait from high school. But as for how I’ve maintained it? Well, that’s always been a huge mystery to me!

I’m having a pretty low-key birthday this year, and, honestly, it’s going to be a bit of a tough one. My mom went to Paris, France, with my aunt and cousin this week, and it’s the first time she’s been to Europe. Of course I’m excited for her, but her absence has hit me a lot harder than I expected. I’m anxious and sad and weepy; that scares me a bit because then my mind starts racing with flashbacks to when I was depressed a few years ago, and I don’t want to go back to that place. But I’m telling myself that these emotions are just the result of my mom being 4,000+ miles away. I will survive — and can’t wait to hear all the stories from her trip!

I’ve decided to take next week off, especially in light of all this hullabaloo, so look for the second part of our Chicago photos on Monday, August 14th! Also, be sure to come say hi on Facebook and Twitter — I’d love to chat with you all! Thanks for all the support, love and encouragement! You all are pretty amazing, and I sincerely hope you all know that by now! Where, oh where, has all the time gone?? xoxo

P.S. My last EIGHT birthdays: 28th, 29th, 30th, 31st, 32nd, 33rd, 34th and 35th!