I guess 40 is one of those magic freak-out birthdays. I have a couple of friends who reached it with no big fanfare or trauma. It was just another birthday. I have another friend who started freaking out about it when he was turning 39. He decided that he didn't want to have birthdays anymore. And he wasn't going to acknowlege them ever again. Of course, his wife, being thoughtful about the approaching milestone planned a big todo for his birthday to soften the blow. That one took a while to get past.
Now, my husband is turning 40 in a couple of months and he's expecting me to throw some big party. I hate parties in general. I don't much like attending them and I certainly don't want to plan one. I'm completely out of my depth. To make matters worse, his birthday is on Thanksgiving this year. Can't have the party on his birthday unless I'm only inviting family. Need to have it right about then, like Friday, while the out of town family is still here. So now I'm dealing with house guests and a party. Two of my least favorite things. And he keeps reminding me that I turn 40 next year, etc., etc. and guaranteeing me that he'll be throwing a party for me. What if I don't want a party. What if I just want to spend it quietly with my immediate family? Nope. He won't hear of that.
Wish me luck.
p.s. Are denying the birthday and wanting a huge deal made of it two sides of the same coin? Are they both freaking out? Hmmm....
