(Almost) A Pity Party

I am so blessed to have the law school friends that I have.

This was a rough week, centered around one particular day . . . my birthday was this week.

I absolutely hate my birthday and not for the usual “oh I’m getting older” feelings. 

There are two days every year I absolutely dread; my birthday and Mother’s Day.  I dread these days because they make me feel so alone.  No one takes me out for brunch or dinner, I don’t receive cards or presents . . . it’s just another day and that’s what bothers me so much . . . these days shouldn’t be normal.

My birthday this year started out bad, my family forgot (in fairness to my mother, she had oral surgery the day before and was hopped up on painkillers that would make Paula Abdul jealous).  Work made it even worse. 

I share the same birthday as one of my coworkers, and my cube sits outside his office.  He’s very popular in the department and has been with the company for quite some time (me only 3 years) and everyone forgets it’s my birthday because of it. 

It was 100 times worse this year because it was the big 4-0 for him and I had to spend the entire day sitting outside his office while everyone stopped by for cake and to wish him a happy birthday (even my immediate team including my boss, director, and immediate coworkers stopped by to wish him well) and forgot to say anything to me.  I had to leave to go to the restroom multiple times because I was about to start crying (super unprofessional and next year I’m going to just take the day off).  The birthday guy felt so bad (he’s a pretty nice guy) that in the afternoon he sent an email out to the entire department thanking everyone for the birthday wishes  but wanted everyone to know that I was a “real trooper” because it was my birthday too.  Then I got a slew of “I’m sorry I forgot” emails from everyone.  I know everyone meant well, but I still felt terrible.

To add to all of this, I was getting emails from the ex throughout the day about how I was ruining his relationship with our son (he knew it was my birthday and was just trying to ruin it).  

I almost skipped class that night so that I could go home and throw a pity party and bawl my eyes out, but I sucked it up and headed in.

My friends at school were waiting and had baked a cake for me.  They sang Happy Birthday in the common area and gave me a Starbucks card and certificate for a pedicure.  I almost started crying again, but only because I was so touched by their kindness.

It’s amazing to think that I have only known these guys for a year and a half but they have become family to me. 

I am really lucky to be blessed with such an amazing group of law school peeps.  My friends are absolutely fantastic and I love them even more for making what would have been a rotten day into something pretty special.

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