Another birthday has happily come and pleasantly gone. Like every other year, I am overjoyed to be still here, still anywhere. It’s one small victory against the myriad forces of the universe that seem bent on my destruction. No, I don’t take this personally. The universe is just doing its thing and sometimes I blunder in its way. But I’m still here.
It’s fun to collect all the greetings and good wishes from family and friends, some so very far away. In Israel, of course, everyone says, “mazal tov,” the all-purpose, congratulatory salutation. Translated into English it means simply “good luck” which would be an odd thing to say on such an occasion. I remember trying to explain to an Israeli woman why one doesn’t say that at a wedding or on the birth of a baby and I’m not sure I really got the point across.
The thing is, in English “good luck” is a phrase that carries a 1-2 punch. Good luck – you’ll need it. Disaster is one footstep away, so good luck. You say this to the proud parents of that bouncing, diaperful of joy and you’re not likely to be invited to the Bar Mitzva. Instead we have a bunch of expressions for different occasions that all translate to “mazal tov”. My mother once instructed me, as we waited in a receiving line, to say “Congratulations” to the groom and “I hope you’ll be very happy” to the bride. Rituals.
Anyway, I had a good birthday. It was miraculously warm and sunny. I’m ever so pleased with the lovely flamingo lily my stepdaughter brought me. It’s just the thing for that empty space in the corner of the bedroom. Maybe best of all were the virtual hugs and kisses from my family in California. Yeah, it was a good day – and I’m still here!
It’s fun to collect all the greetings and good wishes from family and friends, some so very far away. In Israel, of course, everyone says, “mazal tov,” the all-purpose, congratulatory salutation. Translated into English it means simply “good luck” which would be an odd thing to say on such an occasion. I remember trying to explain to an Israeli woman why one doesn’t say that at a wedding or on the birth of a baby and I’m not sure I really got the point across.
The thing is, in English “good luck” is a phrase that carries a 1-2 punch. Good luck – you’ll need it. Disaster is one footstep away, so good luck. You say this to the proud parents of that bouncing, diaperful of joy and you’re not likely to be invited to the Bar Mitzva. Instead we have a bunch of expressions for different occasions that all translate to “mazal tov”. My mother once instructed me, as we waited in a receiving line, to say “Congratulations” to the groom and “I hope you’ll be very happy” to the bride. Rituals.
Anyway, I had a good birthday. It was miraculously warm and sunny. I’m ever so pleased with the lovely flamingo lily my stepdaughter brought me. It’s just the thing for that empty space in the corner of the bedroom. Maybe best of all were the virtual hugs and kisses from my family in California. Yeah, it was a good day – and I’m still here!
