I received a few cards for my birthday, just over a week ago, including one which featured this printed image on the cover. A couple of others—fancy Jacquie Lawson e-cards featuring kinetic art and music—were a tad more “traditional” in message, but were delivered in a decidedly modern format. And, then, there were one or two traditional paper cards, delivered by the U.S. Postal Service. A number of birthday greetings launched from Facebook found their way to me, as well. No matter the format, nor the method of delivery, it’s nice to be remembered with birthday cards. I, who tend to use plain email or text messages to send birthday wishes (if I send them at all), should remember that more formality than a quickly-dashed-off message conveys greater heartfelt emotion. A message that obviously involves some preparatory thought, whether traditional or not, can deliver more meaning; more apparent affection. But is that really true? Probably not. Simply remembering…or taking action upon being reminded…is enough. Still, I should make a bigger deal out of sending such celebratory acknowledgements. Will I? Only time will tell.
+++
Once again, I was awake long before 4 a.m. this morning. That is not surprising, given that I slept a good part of the day yesterday and went to bed before darkness fell last night. But the fact that already I am ready for a nap again—at 5:30 a.m.—is bothersome. My annual physical is scheduled for five and a half hours from now. Perhaps the doctor will be understanding. Maybe he’ll refrain from judging me for drifting off in the examination room. If I return to bed now and nap for four hours, I should have plenty of time to make it to the doctor’s office—after rousing myself from a deep and restful sleep. I showered not long before dark yesterday, so I should not have an offensive smell when I enter his office, as if I died young. This is doable. It is.
+++
The sky remains dark, much the way it was when I woke over and over and over last night. What animals, I wonder, are scurrying about just outside the doors and windows? Are they friendly, or are they full of rage and ready to tear at the screens? I will not attempt to find out. That effort would take more energy than I have available at the moment.
