Celebration Recap
The beginning of May is a busy time around here. Our anniversary, Mother’s Day and my birthday are all in the same week. We call it “mothersbirthaversary.” It saves time.
For Mother’s Day, I got a gorgeous ring from James Avery. (Garnet is Maddie’s birthstone.) I love, love, love it! James Avery is my very favorite jeweler. I have this, this, a retired ring that looks a lot like this one, and a charm bracelet with tons of charms. The headquarters where they make all the jewelry happens to be right down the road from Gerald’s parents’ house. It’s like going on a pilgrimage for me.
I also had a delicious breakfast that morning. Gerald made his fantastic french toast and some sausage. The rest of the day was pretty normal, but I felt very loved and appreciated. HOWEVER: I feel that way most of the time. Gerald does a great job of telling me that I’m a wonderful mother and wife. Mother’s Day just came with a little extra.
We didn’t do much for our anniversary… just went out to dinner as a family. But it was really nice.
Yesterday, Gerald took Maddie and I out for lunch and I got a free birthday sundae. Of course, I shared with both of them. Maddie sat there going “yum! yum! yum!” in between bites. She also decided to laugh out loud as often as possible all through lunch. She sounds completely off her rocker when she does it. I’ll have to get it on video for you one of these days.
I also got one of the best birthday presents ever. Before my birthday, Gerald was going to get me another James Avery ring but I changed my mind at the last minute. Then, he was going to get me some chocolates that I’ve wanted for the past two years, but I changed my mind again. He felt bad that I did’t have a present on my birthday, but it was just fine. The only reason I didn’t have one was because I couldn’t make up my mind, after all. Well, after lunch, I left Maddie with Gerald and I went to Target for a few things. After that, I was going to get a manicure before I headed home. While at Target, I was given the opportunity to help someone out. I’m not going to tell you what I did, because that’s not the point. The point is, I gave someone else the equivalent of my birthday present. It felt so unbelievably good. I smiled all the way home and was filled with such happiness. Who knew the best gift I could have gotten was to give one to someone else? Let me be honest here…. while I like to give people gifts, I like receiving them, too. Especially on my birthday. I LOVE presents. So, forsaking a present for myself and instead giving something to a total stranger doesn’t really seem like something I’d do. But it felt GREAT and I’m so glad I was in the right place at the right time to be able to help.
I think instead of just donating money to charities, I’m going to get more personally involved. Seeing someone’s face when you’ve helped them in some way is just so rewarding. I finally understand the concept of “be the change that you want to see in the world.”
Wow. Look at me. Growing up at the age of 32.
Filed under: daily on May 14th, 2008
I love doing spontaneous acts of kindness for people too. You’re right, it makes you feel GREAT!
Aww. I had someone pay my toll for me the other day, and even something that small totally turns your day around. Good for you.
Sounds like everything was wonderful. And you’re right, doing something personally is always more satisfying than simply giving to charity. Not that giving to charity isn’t good, too, it most definitely is, but everyone involved gains something rewarding from a one-on-one selfless experience.
I have a James Avery necklace that I wear often, and when I get a compliment on it I always say, “Thanks–it’s James Avery.” And then I remember that no one outside of Texas has any clue what I am talking about.
James Avery is my favorite! I have more of his (their?) jewelry than anything else, I think. I’m glad you had a great b-day and good for you for doing a good deed for someone else. I’m sure you brightened their day more than you can imagine.
You’re such a rock star! I knew I liked you for a reason.
Yay for you! I’m, of course, dying of curiosity to know what you did for the stranger in Target (give them some extra change to buy the item they needed but didn’t have the money for? hold a screaming baby while a mother tried on clothes? help them over a puddle of mud by throwing your coat on it?) But I applaud you (I guuuessss) for not wanting to focus on your awesomeness too much.
How about a hint?
Okay, fine, I’ve obviously missed the point of this post….. it’s about ME discovering James Avery. (off to peruse some jewelry…..)
I’m with Jenna, totally nosy! Let’s just think of things she could have done.
1. Gave the hemlich to someone choking?
2. Gave someone cpr?
3. Rescued a child being kidnapped?
4. Bought someone a cart full of groceries?
5. Stopped a big fight in the parking lot, where two people got in a fender bender and were now about to fight?
6. Rescued a cat from a tree?
7. Rescued the world from the Joker?
Wow, the possibilities are endless!
Well, I’m just glad you had a great birthday!
HUGS!
grace
I’m so happy for this awesome birthday! Good for you.
Also, I just realized I won the contest! Sweet! Off to email you!
Gorgeous ring! I just spent some happy time in the gold section.
I know what you mean about keeping the specifics private. It’s like, telling it turns it into something different than it was.
Swistle - I only have that one ring in gold. His gold jewelry is gorgeous but EXPENSIVE. I can get three silver pieces for the price of one gold one.
And you’re absolutely right. Telling people what I did makes it about me, and it wasn’t. It was about helping. I debated telling you all about it because I didn’t want it to come across as “look at me! I’m so nice!” But, in the end, I wanted to share the incredibly feeling it gave me in the hopes that someone else might think to do something for a stranger.
I love that ring but why oh WHY did you have to link that chocolate site??
It sounds like everyone had a great time. I love when I can do random acts of kindness like that. I do it as often as I can (and can afford to). I’ve always wanted to pay for the person’s meal behind me in a drive-through before. I haven’t done it yet, but I will. I just think it would be awesome to think about their reaction when they pull up to the window and their meal(s) have already been paid for.
Those rings that you have are awesome.