Here's the thing about your birthday. It's yours. You are free to celebrate, not celebrate or half celebrate it any way you want. Without explanation. So my birthday wish for you is that you spend the day doing things that make you happy. Even if those things change from year to year.
I can’t claim to understand how it feels to share your birthday with a national tragedy. But I do know that both things can happen simultaneously- we can mourn the loss of so many and celebrate the joy of having you in our lives. So happy birthday! May your day unfold exactly how you wish and may you be surrounded by love and laughter.
Liz, what a heartfelt testimonial to grief, endurance, and rebirth. It touched me in ways that the public memorials never have. I cried (maybe you don’t want to hear that on your birthday. But by the end I think they were tears of joy). Though we’ve never met, I’m wishing you a birthday filled with love (and cake and silly hats!)
Although I don't live in NY I share some of the same sentiments as it is also my bday today. So here's to us having a bday today. May you have a beautiful day surrounded by family and friends.
Two of my nieces and my friend's triplets share your birthday, all from NY. It's a wonderful day because they were born on the day, regardless of what else happened that day.
One of my nieces hid her birthday on social media because of the comments about the date. The other once got out of a ticket when the cop saw her birthdate on her license. 🤷♀️
That's a lot of Virgos! I understand the hiding her birthday thing -- it's weird, like I wrote, to get a comment from the DMV clerk or whoever when you're just listing some rote detail. Eventually I've gotten used to it. No special favors or dismissed tickets though!
I think of you every year, and I think I probably always say the same thing: Happy birthday...there are so many of us in this world who are so glad you were born. ❤️
Happy Birthday, Liz! Your words are so evocative, your post brought tears. My birthday is Halloween, and I've always hated it, but it can't compare to such a global day of significance. I hope you can find joy in the day, despite the grief.
I get it. One of my kid’s is Fourth of July adjacent. The other is by Mother’s Day. It’s always hard, especially as a kid to feel like you are “sharing” a birthday.
Sep 11, 2023·edited Sep 11, 2023Liked by Liz Gumbinner
Thank you for sharing your experience as it is so hard to have that DOB... my best friend's birthday was September 11th. He died in February, so this September 11th is a unique kind of sad for me. I wrote a little thing about it on here: Natural Intelligence. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DEAR LIIIIIIIIIIZ... happy birthday, to YOU!
I have a dear friend who also has this birthday. And yes, it seems unfair, and it’s uncomfortable to want to celebrate, and bad to want to be celebrated when, as you say, so many lost so much on this day... But you, and my friend, and all others who share this day, do deserve to enjoy it if you/they wish, so I’m wishing you a happy birthday, Liz.
I hope that you’ve had a good day today, Liz. I don’t care how old you are, when the cake with the candles comes out for you, you should get to be happy. Also, I am amazed by your strength, how unafraid you are to share your life with us. I don’t think I could do what you do.
Thanks for reading Diane, I appreciate it.
Woke up thinking of you and your birthday today, Liz! Sending big love and hugs today. xoxoxo
Thank you Christine!
Happy Birthday! Enjoy your cake!
Thank you! My mom made me a big cheesecake yesterday so I get cake #2 today. How lucky is that?
Happy, happy birthday Liz, such a brave story to share! Thank you!
Here's the thing about your birthday. It's yours. You are free to celebrate, not celebrate or half celebrate it any way you want. Without explanation. So my birthday wish for you is that you spend the day doing things that make you happy. Even if those things change from year to year.
I appreciate that so much CJ. Thank you.
I can’t claim to understand how it feels to share your birthday with a national tragedy. But I do know that both things can happen simultaneously- we can mourn the loss of so many and celebrate the joy of having you in our lives. So happy birthday! May your day unfold exactly how you wish and may you be surrounded by love and laughter.
Liz, beautifully written for a beautiful woman on a beautiful day, your birthday.
Much love….
Liz, what a heartfelt testimonial to grief, endurance, and rebirth. It touched me in ways that the public memorials never have. I cried (maybe you don’t want to hear that on your birthday. But by the end I think they were tears of joy). Though we’ve never met, I’m wishing you a birthday filled with love (and cake and silly hats!)
Wow Bruce, I'm really touched by this comment right back. Thank you for the good wishes and for taking the time.
Although I don't live in NY I share some of the same sentiments as it is also my bday today. So here's to us having a bday today. May you have a beautiful day surrounded by family and friends.
I did! And thank you.
Happy birthday 🎂
Two of my nieces and my friend's triplets share your birthday, all from NY. It's a wonderful day because they were born on the day, regardless of what else happened that day.
One of my nieces hid her birthday on social media because of the comments about the date. The other once got out of a ticket when the cop saw her birthdate on her license. 🤷♀️
That's a lot of Virgos! I understand the hiding her birthday thing -- it's weird, like I wrote, to get a comment from the DMV clerk or whoever when you're just listing some rote detail. Eventually I've gotten used to it. No special favors or dismissed tickets though!
Virgos are the best! Hope it ended up being a good day for you
I think of you every year, and I think I probably always say the same thing: Happy birthday...there are so many of us in this world who are so glad you were born. ❤️
And every year you say the thing that makes me cry, thank you Elisa ❤️
Happy Birthday, Liz! Your words are so evocative, your post brought tears. My birthday is Halloween, and I've always hated it, but it can't compare to such a global day of significance. I hope you can find joy in the day, despite the grief.
I get it. One of my kid’s is Fourth of July adjacent. The other is by Mother’s Day. It’s always hard, especially as a kid to feel like you are “sharing” a birthday.
Thank you for sharing your experience as it is so hard to have that DOB... my best friend's birthday was September 11th. He died in February, so this September 11th is a unique kind of sad for me. I wrote a little thing about it on here: Natural Intelligence. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DEAR LIIIIIIIIIIZ... happy birthday, to YOU!
I’m sorry for your loss. Birthdays, holidays, dates of death… So many difficult opportunities for remembrance that accumulate as the years go on. 🤍
Wishing you peace and happiness today. It's a heavy thing to carry. ❤️
I have a dear friend who also has this birthday. And yes, it seems unfair, and it’s uncomfortable to want to celebrate, and bad to want to be celebrated when, as you say, so many lost so much on this day... But you, and my friend, and all others who share this day, do deserve to enjoy it if you/they wish, so I’m wishing you a happy birthday, Liz.
I hope she had a wonderful day too, Grace.
I hope that you’ve had a good day today, Liz. I don’t care how old you are, when the cake with the candles comes out for you, you should get to be happy. Also, I am amazed by your strength, how unafraid you are to share your life with us. I don’t think I could do what you do.
Wow Mark, thank you. That means a lot. I just do what I know how to do... same as all of us ❤️