Now we are Three...
...two. 32. I've always liked the number; when my father let us pick Super Lotto possibilities with him, "32" was a constant selection. It felt lucky. With every aging cell in my body, I hope it still is.
If my Father were still alive, he would be throwing his famous "Orthodox Christmas/Anna's Birthday/New Year's" extravaganza this Saturday. He always celebrated my day with such excitement and love. Every year, I got a frothy, brand new dress, just like the one above, usually from Macy's. When I was older, in the last few years before I lost him, I got jewelry, as well. He was building a trousseau I might never need; at 32, I know that the impossible is probable and I may never "settle down".
I can live without the dresses and the gold, but I can't truly celebrate my birthday without my Father. He wanted a daughter so badly and this was the day he got his wish, at the advanced age of 38; he never let anyone forget how grateful he was for it. I will forever remember how special he made me feel, every new year. In 2007, there may not be a party at our home with a 100+ guests, there will be no champagne toast...but there's a beautiful new bottle of Perrier-Jouet in my refrigerator and when it's popped at 11:46 tonight, I'll be toasting life, love and the much-adored man who marvelled through glass at a baby with very big eyes (21.5 inches, 8 lbs) who made her arrival 32 years ago, today. Thanks Mummy and Daddy, for letting me be.
Happy Birthday!
Posted by: Aditi | 2007.01.04 at 03:43 AM
Happy birthday, Anna :)
Posted by: toesoxluver | 2007.01.04 at 03:46 AM
Happy Birthday, A N N A! 32 treated me well, so I have great hopes for your 32nd year!
Posted by: brimful | 2007.01.04 at 06:23 AM
Happy Birthday! May it be a wonderful year :)
Posted by: andrea | 2007.01.04 at 07:38 AM
Happy Birthday Anna. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Posted by: Digit | 2007.01.04 at 10:05 AM
Happy Birthday! I met you through Sriram once at Tryst, and remembered reading your posts a while back. I hope you have the best year yet!
Posted by: Bela | 2007.01.04 at 10:07 AM
happy birthday & happy new year anna!
Posted by: jay | 2007.01.04 at 10:47 AM
i hope this year is full of all things good for you!
Posted by: nina | 2007.01.04 at 10:58 AM
happy Birthday!
Posted by: chaitan | 2007.01.04 at 11:32 AM
That made me want to cry. Happy birthday, you beautiful girl, you.
Posted by: Roonie | 2007.01.04 at 12:15 PM
happy new years AND happy bday! i'm a jan bday like you so this time is exciting as well. all the best and enjoy your day!
Posted by: terence | 2007.01.04 at 01:38 PM
Happy Birthday!
Posted by: ads | 2007.01.04 at 01:43 PM
From one January baby to another...happy birthday!
Posted by: rekha | 2007.01.04 at 01:55 PM
Happy Birthday Anna!
Posted by: Meghana | 2007.01.04 at 02:03 PM
Happy Birthday, Anna :)
Hope your year is full of deliciously memory-making experiences.
(And that is one seriously adorable pic.)
Posted by: maya | 2007.01.04 at 03:41 PM
Happy Birthday Anna!
Posted by: TMB | 2007.01.04 at 04:00 PM
I lurve that photo - so sweet. Happy Birthday.
Posted by: tamasha | 2007.01.04 at 05:33 PM
De-lurking to wish you a happy birthday and a fabulous year!
Posted by: IslandGirl | 2007.01.04 at 05:48 PM
What a beautiful post; it brought a tear to my eye. Happy birthday, A N N A. Wishing you much happiness and creativity this year.
Posted by: Pooja | 2007.01.04 at 07:04 PM
You rock.
Posted by: Sriram | 2007.01.04 at 09:19 PM
I hope 32 is your lucky year Anna.. Happy birthday again!
Posted by: Jiji | 2007.01.04 at 11:15 PM
You're a beautiful person. I know that this is your year! Continue being you.
Posted by: biju | 2007.01.04 at 11:27 PM
Awww, such a cute little girl! And still cute, 29(?) years later. :-) Happy birthday!!
Posted by: DTK | 2007.01.04 at 11:49 PM
Many wishes to you on this day!! And hope they all DO come true. Take care.
Posted by: Ak | 2007.01.05 at 02:25 AM
Happy birthday, friend, sister, colleague. xoxo SM
Posted by: siddhartha | 2007.01.05 at 10:16 AM