How Not To Spend Your Birthday

So yesterday was my birthday. I’m not a huge party person – I like a small gathering of friends and family maxing out around ten total – and we pretty much handled that this weekend when we had lunch with my folks and sister and brother-in-law. So it isn’t that I was planning to have a big day of celebrations, but I’d hoped for a fun day at home with the kids and maybe some ice cream.

Instead I had the flu.

At least, I think it was the flu. It’s been a long time since I’ve had the flu – I almost always get a flu shot (did this year) and generally find that helps me avoid most of the ickies throughout the winter. Oh sure, I’ll get a cough or sniffle here or there, but nothing that really puts me down for the count. But yesterday…I was not only down, I was out. Fever? Check. Chills? Check. Joint pain? Check. Check. Check. It was dreadful.

I’m on the mend, thankfully – feeling much better (which saying makes me want to tag on “I don’t want to go on the cart! I feel like going for a walk. I feel happy!” And that will only make sense to you if you’re also a Monty Python fan.) But I thought I’d offer this little PSA: If you were thinking the flu was potentially a fun way to celebrate your birthday, just go ahead and say no. Do something else. I can vouch for the fact that it’s absolutely no fun.