Happy Birthday Army!!

Since this is the month of the Army’s birthday, I’ve decided to write a blog about the one event everyone has, even if they don’t want it…BIRTHDAYS!

A few days ago, the 314th did our monthly birthday celebration. It was fun (well for me anyway). It gives us a chance to come together and have cake (it’s somebody’s birthday, you have to have cake!).

One soldier in particular seemed a little shy about having everyone sing to her. I think she was a little embarrassed. I don’t seem to understand why, but everything isn’t for everybody.

I’m starting to believe that I’m in a totally different category of people when it comes to birthdays. As the year goes by and soldier’s birthdays come and go, I’ve noticed that most people are not happy about getting older. Perhaps, it’s just me, but I love the idea of celebrating my birthday and growing older.

I start celebrating several weeks before the actual day. By the time my birthday gets here, everyone is so tired of me talking about it, but I never care. This is the one day that I can say is for me, and years from now, when I’m famous,  my birthday will become a national holiday that everyone will celebrate (but that’s a different blog).

No matter how hard I tried to get the unit to celebrate my birthday before I left for R& R leave, the 1SG would not have it, but that’s fine because I was fortunate to be home on my birthday this year. My family and friends really went out because they know I love big celebrations for my birthday when I’m not deployed.  I think they figured I wanted a big celebration this year especially.

My mom and dad bought me a red velvet cake with white chocolate shavings on top. It was wonderful. I love red velvet cake. My parents are really creative when it comes to not having just a regular birthday cake. I remember past birthdays I’ve had a cookie cake, an ice cream cake, and a cupcake.

The last couple of years I have tried to go on vacation around my birthday. In 2007, I went to Florida, even though it was a horrible trip (when I say horrible vacation, I mean it). In 2008, I was finally able to go to Vegas. That was a great trip.  This year, I received an all expense paid trip to…Iraq. This trip definitely leaves me speechless. Hopefully, next year I will get to go somewhere really good since it will be the big 25.

I think the reason I make such a big deal about my birthday is that growing up my parents have always made a big fuss about birthdays. I’ve always felt my birthday is one of the most important things to celebrate.

I’m sure as I continue to age (gracefully, of course) I will start to shy away from the elaborate celebrations for my birthday (I don’t see it happening anytime soon).

I think I have said all I can about my birthday. Hopefully, someone will read this blog and decide that a birthday is a celebration and not a step into the grave. Birthdays are meant to be fun and elaborate.