When we bought our house in Eugene, OR. It was a dream come true. I loved that house and I still think it is my favourite house we ever lived in. A few weeks after moving in, I told Ken that if we just had a picnic table with an umbrella, I would be materially complete. I would not need another thing ever again. I was satisfied!

A picnic table with an umbrella for the yard and all would be right with my world!

Of course I got it and of course I went on to want more, better and different as the years went by. Yet, since that time, almost everything I ever “wanted” was just that, a want. My needs have been met for a long time now and for that I am extremely grateful.

So, last night, Ken asks me what I want for my birthday. I’ll be 60 next week and I do love my birthday and I love attention and I love getting presents.

But, what do I want? Beats me! I have everything a girl could ask for already. Still….

There is a funny thing that happens during the day. I wonder if it happens to others. I’ll be in the kitchen and think – I’d like a… fill in the blank. Or I’ll be hiking and think, this hike would be better if I only had a …. Fill in the blank. Our new home is lovely, so I look out in the yard and think, we should get a…. Fill in the blank.

I don’t need a darn thing, but that doesn’t seem to stop me from the eternal wanting of more, better and different. Even when I want less I’m still wanting!

As Mae West once said so well… “give me the luxuries of life and I’ll do without the necessities.”

I don’t need anything for my birthday — but I will be sorely disappointed if I don’t get anything!

No pressure really. Attention is a thing.

One of the best birthday cards I ever saw, said on the front: On Your Birthday… and when you open it, it said, You can be a real pain in the ass.

I’m starting to count down!