My birthday wish to you

August 16, 2008 in Uncategorized

First of all, let me just suggest that 6 a.m. flights are the work of the devil.

I’m celebrating my birthday at happy Gate A31 in the Atlanta airport with a cold bagel and a soy latte. There’s a man sitting way far too close to me for this early in the morning and I’m on my way to San Diego to speak at a conference tomorrow about diversity in associations instead of sleeping the kind of sleep a newly 49-year-old needs to sleep just to maintain.

Anyone here from San Diego? How should I celebrate my last birthday in my 40s in San Diego? Um, and where can I buy a black shell to replace the one I realized at 37,000 feet in the air on the way to Atlanta that I didn’t pack and that will be the only thing separating me from an arrest for indecent exposure if I don’t find one before tomorrow?

My dear Emma was born 16 years ago today on my birthday. We celebrated last night with a necklace that features a phrase I love from Emily Dickinson. And Emma is probably still up in her room playing her new bass guitar with the headphones on. For my part, as you can see from the photo, I’m reading one of the fabulous books in my bookstack (a birthday tradition in our household).

To Emma, my love. You are the best birthday present I could ever, ever imagine.

And, as mentioned earlier, once I get to San Diego and have hunted down a black shell, I’ll let you know who wins the set of Life is a Verb tiles in celebration of my birthday!

Is there an upgrade in my future? Say yes!

My birthday wish to you is the same wish I have for Emma: Dwell in possibility.

About Patti Digh

Patti Digh is an author, speaker, and educator who builds learning communities and gets to the heart of difficult topics. Her work over the last three decades has focused on diversity, inclusion, social justice, and living and working mindfully. She has developed diversity strategies and educational programming for major nonprofit and corporate organizations and has been a featured speaker at many national and international conferences.

13 comments to " My birthday wish to you "


marianne

August 16, 2008 AT 8:59AM

A Very Happy Birthday to you, Patti and Emma.
Although San Diego is my birth-place this time ’round.. sorry, can’t help you with the shopping.
Excellent choice on the reading material.

Rick

August 16, 2008 AT 9:10AM

Here’s to happy birthday travels, success in finding a backup black shell (or officers who come to take you away if you fail to find same who look like Johnny Depp and tell stories as well as Billy Collins), a great time at the conference, and all manner of possibilities I cannot even begin to imagine, none of which involve men who sit too closely to you too early in the morning.

Have a gloriously delightful birthday, Patti.

Marilyn

August 16, 2008 AT 9:52AM

Happy, happy, happy…no, really, HAPPY…birthday to you and Emma!!! I’m all turned around about days of the week and dates lately and I had it in my head that tomorrow was August 16. So I’m happy that without knowing your day was today, the very first thing I did upon rising this morning was read some of your very wise words in Verb. Love the necklace…and what could possibly sum up the inspiring messages you gift us with here and in your book more than…dwell in possibility.

Happy 16th, Emma! Get down with your bad self on that new Fender bass! ;) Thank you for sharing your incredible Mama with us…because I suspect that you’re a big reason why she’s as incredible as she is. Love to you both. xoxo

Jena Strong

August 16, 2008 AT 9:55AM

I write this comment from my parents’ house, a stone’s throw away from Emily Dickinson’s house. Dwell away – happy birthday!

Imelda /GreenishLady

August 16, 2008 AT 10:20AM

Happy birthday to both of you! No idea what a shell is, but it sounds pretty crucial, so I hope you find one.

I am absolutely loving the posts of people’s takes on their 37 days. Thanks for sharing so many of them.

janet

August 16, 2008 AT 11:48AM

Happy Birthday!! Are you aware of the documentary “Girls Rock”? I think it would be a lovely thing to see with your bass playing daughter.

And you rock on…(enjoying your book, I am carrying a quote from Rumi that I picked up in the pages with me today).

-janet

Christine Martell

August 16, 2008 AT 12:45PM

Happy Birthday Patti,
Thought I’d celebrate your birthday by ordering the first 10 copies of your book for my closest friends. Thanks for consistently inspiring us all!

Jane

August 16, 2008 AT 9:46PM

Patti, not sure where to get a black shell. BUT! I do know the best place to celebrate a birthday. KAREN’S EXTRAORDINARY DESSERTS. 5th and Quince. Any cab I get into automatically takes me there. It is the kind of place that makes a couple on their way home from the opera and five firefighter academy cadets feel equally welcome. And I would expect them to have vegan options. The other location is in Little Italy more or less, not sure of the address though. Worth whatever the cab fare is.

Here is to another beautiful year.

Julie

August 17, 2008 AT 5:41AM

Happy Birthday Patti and Emma!
I got my copy of 37 days and have decided to follow your instructions of dog eared pages and notes. I am ordering copies for my dad and sister too, because neither are great at navigating the internets.
I too wonder if you really know how many people’s lives you have affected in the most positive way.

jylene

August 17, 2008 AT 8:50PM

i was actually born in San Diego but my parents moved back to ohio when i was still an infant. i have not gotten back there to see it yet, so i have no idea where you would go to shop or celebrate. one of my goals in life has been to go and visit there, and i now realize i left that off my list for my last 37 days! anyway, have a great trip and an even greater birthday– XOXO

Paula - Buenos Aires

August 17, 2008 AT 11:19PM

Happy belated birthday to both of you. :)

K

August 18, 2008 AT 1:49AM

You can find a basic black shell at Horton Plaza (closest to the airport, in downtown), or along the Interstate 8 at Fashion Valley or Mission Valley malls. I abhor the idea of sending someone who appreciates the unique like you to these gigantic mega malls, but I presume time is of the essence to your black-shell absence…if you find yourself near UCSD, consider shopping at Georgiou in the UTC mall instead (www.georgioustudio.com), which is where I got my “interview-killer” suit and all my business attire.

sally

August 18, 2008 AT 8:57AM

Happy, happy birthday, Patti. If I had known you were going to ASAE, I would have made sure to send my colleague who is there to hear you speak, a privilege I have not had (yet).