Imbolc \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Valentine Moon<\/p>\n
Of course, it’s just a spot on the earth’s orbit around the sun. \u00a0The very spot where you or I slid out of the birth canal, or, in my case, were excised through the abdomen, kicking and bawling, with no clue about why the world had suddenly gone from watery and warm to non-viscous and cool. \u00a0No wonder we cry.<\/p>\n
(So, there I am, just a bit more than halfway between perihelion and the spring equinox.)<\/p>\n
And, it’s an extremely ordinary event. \u00a0I mean, everyone who ever lived–everyone–had one. \u00a0Certain cultures, I’m told, place no emphasis on the birthday at all and maybe they’re right, but the sentimentality of our way pleases me all the same.<\/p>\n
People call us and tell us they love us. \u00a0Are happy for us. \u00a0Gifts come. \u00a0Cards. \u00a0Smiles. \u00a0A feeling of particularity overshadows all else for at least one day. \u00a0Love gets concrete on birthdays.<\/p>\n
Advancing age makes me no less interested in celebrating this most ordinary of events which is, of course, supremely extraordinary in one important way: \u00a0it’s the only time this happened to me. \u00a0Or you. \u00a066 is a good number. \u00a0So was 16. \u00a026. \u00a076. \u00a0The number says you’re still on board spaceship earth and punching your ticket for another full ride.<\/p>\n
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Imbolc \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Valentine Moon Of course, it’s just a spot on the earth’s orbit around the sun. \u00a0The very spot … Continue reading All Aboard<\/span>