wanting & having
July 14, 2013 § 6 Comments
This morning my husband and I circled our daughter with choices, attempting to create birthday plans that would evolve into cherished memories from daydreams and wishes. What would you like? Who would you like to include? What might you like to do? Each of us became dizzy from the momentum of expectations.
We looked outward toward dramatic visuals pinned with promises of parties tinted in tones of joy. Images not unlike the of artistic filters that cast contemporary photographs in shades of nostalgia. Themed cakes and clever goody bags were missing the quaint charm of blank space.
Then, we looked inward.
I cannot remember my parents interviewing me to create an ideal, rather I remember a sense of gratitude for candles that invited a reason to cast a wish among friends. My experience was less wanting and more having. In truth I had less and dreamt more, my riches greater for my dreams.
My daughter’s birthday is just around the corner and this year I am giving her a little more wrapped in a lot less. A simple cake and a couple of friends. A special gift and room to wish.
scribblechic 
“a sense of gratitude for candles that invited a reason to cast a wish among friends” – beautiful, if every birthday was celebrated with wishes and friends, every one would be the basis of magical memories. Happy early birthday to your daughter!
Thank you! I think friendship and wishes are as well paired as ice cream and cake.
I think you are making the right choice. 😉 Enjoy celebrating!
Thank you! The decision feels right, simplicity over excess.
Oh, yikes. If only I could get away with that. I sort of set some high standards. I’ve done a fishing party with baby pool, foam lily pads, magnetic fishing poles and magnetic “fish.” The next year, I built a miniature golf course in our backyard out of found objects. Then we had a flower power party with painted flower pots craft, sunflower cupcakes and pin-the-leaf on the sunflower. It was adorable.
This year, my daughter wants a camp out party. She’s old enough to make decisions and do much of the crafty work, like making the invitations. I worked very hard at not imposing my vision. It was a struggle, but she got it all done to her satisfaction. That’s the key. Letting her satisfaction be enough.
I think I go overboard like this because I wasn’t really given birthday parties. It wasn’t my mother’s thing. Hers was more the grand gesture of a really expensive gift. I hope to find some balance and really envy you the ability to go with simplicity. Maybe next year…
I am smitten by the idea of a backyard miniature golf course from found objects. Each of your ideas sound grounded in love and that, to me, is the most important theme.