Forgotten Birthday

Warning: Spiritual stuff. Move on to the jokes if this sickens you.

My emotions are numb as I write this email. It’s been battered by waves of difficult developments here at home and abroad.

I’m amazed at the valiant Ukrainians who, despite their meager arsenal, have held on to their freedom beyond everyone’s expectations. Sadly, even as we cheer their courage, the reality of accommodating millions of refugees and bracing for the energy shortage is already setting in. What will Europe be like when this war is over?

On developments close to home (stupid me) I mixed my dates and forgot to greet a loved one on his birthday and now the family is not speaking with me. I cannot blame them. This will be one of my biggest regrets in life. I would be offended if that happened to me. In fact, it did happen to me.

The long story is, I hate my birthdays. Really, I do. Maybe I was trained to be in the background. I don’t know why, but ever since I was a kid, I hated being the center of attention. My older brother grew up getting the spotlight and I was content just being “the other boy.” The unusual twins who were born after me also got “rave reviews” from the older folk. And again, I was okay with that. I went to school for “spoiled rich kids” and I certainly was not one of them and never got any attention … and I was okay with that. My low self-esteem, my low expectations of the approval of others affected my disenchantment for my birthdays. I didn’t (and still don’t) know how to react when people greet me “happy birthday.” Inside me I scream: “No! don’t look at me! Look at someone else! I’m meltinnnng!” Maybe that’s why I love Christmas and the tradition of gift-giving. It’s everyone’s “birthday” when that happens. But there was one birthday when nobody greeted me. You’d think I’d be happy but I was hurt.

I wondered if someone planned an evil prank. I waited the whole day thinking there was a surprise around the corner but no. My birthday came and left with nary a soul whispering that they appreciated my being alive … not even my wife. (Of course she showered me with apologetic kisses the next day when I told her what happened). Unless this happens to you (especially among the people that you love) it’s hard to fathom the deep rejection. If this happened to you, please share. I’d love to know what it was like. How bad was it?

But hope knocked on my door (as it always does). This week I found out that one of my friends who has been going through some very rough times had just won in a TV game show. Jennifer won the jackpot prize of $64,693 in the Wheel of Fortune. (You can watch the link to the video below.) My favorite moment was when she jumped into her sparkling red mini cooper and looked up and thanked God for this wonderful blessing. (She said she would share the background of the events that led up to it in a future article in TravelingBoy.com. So stay tuned.) What a great reminder of who is in control in this messy world. God loves us and blesses us despite ourselves.

I pray time will soften the hearts of those who are angry at me. I believe that if the Ukrainians turn to God, a miracle will happen — so I don’t pray for a victory for the Ukrainians anymore — I pray for a spiritual revival. When they return to God that’s when the real victory will be won.

“O give thanks to the Lord for He is good!
For His mercy endures forever …
To Him who alone does great wonders,
For His mercy endures forever.” — Psalm 136

(BTW, you should look at the comment section of the website version of my TGIF jokes. Lots of good discussion on last week’s topic about Ukraine.)

But this is just me. TGIF people!

Raoul

Joke of the Week

Thanks to Peter Paul of S. Pasadena, CA.

Videos of the week

ENTERTAINING: Thanks to Mike of New York for this cool dance from the Adams Family

Video of my friend Jennifer who won at the Wheel of Fortune

Parting Shots

Thanks to Tom of Pasadena, CA

Thanks to another Tom who also hails from Pasadena

Thanks to Mike of New York City

Thanks to Peter Paul of S Pasadena, CA

The post How Much Love? appeared first on Traveling Archive.

I do not know if someone taught me about not having expectations or if I just evolved.  But I know this for sure, you are almost guaranteed to be disappointed anytime you are expecting a certain outcome or something to happen to benefit you from someone else.  But if you expect nothing, you may be pleasantly surprised occasionally.

Giving other people the latitude to do or not do something for you is always best.  Some things are completely out of our control so hoping, praying or expecting something for your birthday or some other occasion will fail nine out of ten times.  If you want something, you have the option of making that happen yourself.  I call that a Un-Birthday present.  Remember, there are a total of 364 of them each year.  On your mark, get set, GO!

Personally, I love picking up a gift for someone for no reason at all.  Just the fact that I saw something that made me think fondly of them is fun for me.  Also, there are times when your budget just doesn’t allow us to even buy something we really need for ourselves, or for someone else’s special day.

A note is something that is affordable and most people hang on to them just because of the sentiments inside and the special thoughts we include in them.  I have been sending notes and cards to friends all of my life.  I really never thought much about that until I lost my husband and son.  The cards and notes I received meant so much to me and I will cherish them always.

I have a special box that has cards that I have received from family members and friends that have been gone for decades and I enjoy re-reading them occasionally.  They are like little gifts to me.  Recognizing the handwriting of someone you have loved and lost is so endearing to me.

I think in the end, it comes down to a little box that holds the mementos that have the greatest meaning for all of us and can transport us back in time where we can savor a memory that is capable of filling us up.

I also think that the little acts of kindness we do for others are actually gifts we give ourselves.  The joy that something as simple as a phone call brings to you and someone you call, is the gift that keeps on giving, because you can play and re-play that call in your mind as often as needed!

So remember, expect nothing and you may be pleasantly surprised.

The post The Gifts That Keep on Giving appeared first on Traveling Archive.