Today is my birthday. 39.
Real 39 though, not that “39″ that people say when they’re really 40.
Overall I have no problem being 39, except maybe when Nate, who’s eight years younger and thinks he’s 16 (see also: Guitar Hero) says things like “um…maybe you shouldn’t be wearing that skirt that’s one inch above your knees.”
Like I’m 70.
Like I’m dead.
So far I must say that 39 is not so bad, you young’ns out there who fear the bigger numbers. I’m liking it so much, I might just try it again next year. We’ll see.
As you can imagine, this is a tough birthday to have, especially in New York City. I elaborated on this last year and I don’t want to rehash it too much again. But for the last six years, it’s been hard to celebrate unabashedly when your birthday is at best a silver lining. I don’t want my birthday to be the silver lining. I want it to be the big fluffy white cloud with the rainbow behind it and the unicorn prancing overhead. Okay, so maybe I stole that image off a satin pillow I owned in 7th grade. Better that than the glittery t-shirt I owned at the same time that said tender sweet young thing. I don’t care for my birthday to be about tender sweet young thing, unless it’s describing a rack of lamb that I am eating over herbed risotto, with a bottomless bottle of Montrachet.
While there’s a lot of stuff to mourn today, in ways it helps to shed light on a lot of stuff I have to be grateful for as I round out my fourth decade on this planet.
High on the list:
This is what 39 looks like, with one arm wrapped around what 89 1/2 looks like.
I’ll take it.
99 shards of brilliance… read them below or add one
Happy Birthday!
Enjoy your day. You should celebrate. It’s just as important, if not more so, to celebrate the living as well as remembering the dead. Happy 39th.
Happy 39th! You are one awesome person, no matter what age. And 40? The best is yet to come, my dear!
Happy happy!
Happy Birthday!
Happy B-day, I am about six months behind you.
Happy Birthday… I just turned 38 and so far I haven’t needed to ask the kids to open the Geritol for me…
39 over there is looking better than 26 over here today. It was a rough night for the Mom over here!Happy Birthday!
I’d say 39 is looking pretty damn good. I hope that my 31 (today is my birthday, too) looks as good. Considering that my 2 month old had me up 4 times last night (someone <> really <> needs to teach that kid about birthdays being special days) I’m fearful that 31 is looking a little tired and baggy today. Happy, happy birthday!
OMG the loveliness! No, really? 39 and 89? AND A HALF? Gawd. I wish I looked half as gorgeous as the two of you.With best wishes on your birthday from faraway Lithuania,21
I’m so glad you were born.Happy Birthday, mamacita!
Two of the Most Beautiful women at any age!!! Thank god I have some of those genes!!!xoxo – Love to you
Happy Birthday, Mom101! Hope you like 39 as much as I do!
Happy birthday!
Happy Birthday!Maybe this will help….I have found, as have almost all of my female friends, that after 40, there is a sense of freedom that a woman never has before. Freedom to be who you want to be, to say whatever you want to say, to make choices that you never made before. Each year after forty gives more freedom! I have enjoyed the years since 40 more than any other period in my life. I worry less and enjoy more!So CELEBRATE!
you are looking FAB!!good enough to spring for that extra glass (or three) of wine at dinner tonight. Hope it’s a great one.
I only hope that, 4 years from now, I will look that good! Happy (mutual) Birthday!
Honey, from someone who’s met you in real life… you don’t look 39! At all! (go ahead, wear that skirt)Happy Birthday!
ok, so I thought of you today as I was flying across the country. First because it is 9/11, secondly because the lady sitting next to me it was her birthday as well. I didn’t even bother to state what a sucky day to have a b-day on. And I recalled your post from last year about your birthday being on Sept 11. May you have many more 39s to pick from and that I have to say is just a perfect age.
Just as I suspected…39 is freaking hot! Happy Birthday!
39 and 89 1/2 look pretty damn awesome to me. Peace.
happy birthday you sexy biotch you!
Happy Birthday you ever so hot mama! You are a young’n at 39…. You are still the fastest walker I know!
Happy birthday!!
And may I add, you look FABULOUS for 39!
Happy Belated!And if you’re the face of 39, I can’t wait to get there.
Happy belated birthday!If I look even half that good at 39 I’ll be happy. You’ve got some amazing genetics.
Happy (late) birthday!You look phenomenal.
Happy Birthday! (And I’m sorry I’m late!)
THAT IS A GREAT PHOTO! LOVE IT!I’m telling you… if 89 looks like that, I’ll have what she’s having – NOW!Love you blog… and Happy Birthday!- AudreyPinks & Blues
Love that photo! You and your Grandma are so cute!Happy belated birthday to you!
God, I miss you.(Sorry. Hormones at play.)Happy birthday, my friend. Thought of you often yesterday.
You look fabulous!
It’s a tough day to have a birthday, but it was yours first!Now that I’ve met you in person I am soooo not believing you are 39 until I see the birth certificate. No way. Not buying it!
I’ve heard forty is the new eighteen and you’re not even there yet which would mean you’re about 12 by today’s standards. Congrats on being 12 and I hope to God I look that good at 89!
Oh My God I am late in the good wishing thing. Thankfully you have a full 364 more days of it so HAPPY B-DAY Buddee
So glad to have found you and the day is made all the more special because it is yours!Amy
Happy belated 39th birthday from a fellow 39 year old. (But, sadly, I’ll be hitting the big 4-0 in a couple of months. I’m grasping and clawing to hold on to my rapidly fleeting 30′s. Sigh.)
Happy belated birthday. You look terrific at 39! Work that skirt! Hope Nate got a good evil eye from that comment.
39??? You look more like 29! Ole nate best be careful (chuckle). Oh ya.. miniskirts? Me. 41.. gramma (4 times over yet) and miniskirts a whoppin 2 inches above the knee.. just cuz I can
Happy birthday, Liz!
Dayum! It looks Goooooood on ya!Happy (belated) Birthday!
On the day you were born the skies opened and the godess said, “This child is your gift from the unicorns and the rainbows. This child will grow up to shed light on everyone she sees. This child….”
I also meant to say, you are so super duper awesome for having a younger hubby.Mine’s older than yours, but I’m thinking their maturity level is prolly somewhat equal. Just substitute Guitar Hero for Halo, Burnout, and Tiger Woods Golf. Oy.
Happy 39th!I had that same pillow. I got it at Eggemoggin. Remember them? Right near Dark Star Records.
i think you look fantabulous!
Try it again next year, hee hee! Many birthday blessings….
…And bonus points for nabbing a younger guy!
Happy Birthday! I’m not too excited to be 37 either if you want to know the truth. But as the old folks say, getting older is better than the alternative.
Aw, where have I been? HAPPY BIRTHDAY!