When I was a kid, I had a lucky number. I was fickle as many children are, so the lucky number was whatever my age was. It was five, then six, then seven, then eight.
When I was eight years old, I decided to commit to my lucky number, since it can’t really be lucky if I just trade up every 365 days. Lucky number eight, nice and round, the infinity sign turned on its end, or is it its beginning?
I have a clear memory of August 8, 1988. 8/8/88. My parents, sister and I were vacationing on Kiawah Island in South Carolina, and I was sitting on the couch of our rented bungalow watching the news with my dad. The reporter was doing a fluff piece on the date, and I remember thinking that the next time all the numbers would match would be 9/9/99, and I would be an adult, maybe married, maybe a mom.
I was.
I had one August baby, then another. That neutral month that was only significant because of my younger sister’s birthday became the month that slays me, every year. During the early years of motherhood, I planned and threw two birthday parties within three weeks. Exhausted, I then shopped for crayons, pencils and notebooks, and took first day of school photos.
I felt guilty for feeling relieved when school started again, until that relief turned bittersweet. The birthday parties became easy dinners out, and the summers became lazy and relaxed. August signaled the end of another year of childhood, another year of raising my children gone.
This year, August began in Skagway, Alaska. It began with my baby boy turning sixteen, a fancy dinner on the cruise ship, and whispering the happy birthday song because he insisted that no one sing for him.
August was an amazing family vacation, with grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. That vacation will get its own post, maybe two.
August was only one physical with the pediatrician this year, and the first solo visit with a grownup doctor. It was vaccinations without hand-holding or tears, and Spiderman bandaids that made the teen smirk. He kept it on all day.
August was sleeping in, until 8 a.m. cross country practices started and I have to set an alarm again. August is still naps if we feel like it, and flopping on the couch in sweaty running clothes because there’s no rush to take a shower.
August will be my little girl’s nineteen birthday. It is move-in day for sophomore year of college, and I’m thinking dropping her off is not going to be any easier this year than it was last year .
August is the end of one year and the beginning of another, points on the same circle. Or on a figure eight, that lucky number a little girl chose years ago.
How cool is that it that you decided back then that 8 would be our lucky number and then years later you had to August babies?! While they won’t be born in the same month, Eve and baby #2, in theory, will have their birthdays just a few weeks apart, with Thanksgiving in between and Chanukkah after. Eek!
Yep, you will have a busy end of year! You could always do a fun joint half-birthday celebration for both of them.
My lucky number is seven, but now you have me thinking about eight. I have so many family members and Irene’s with August birthdays, and as Leo’s, they are very August proud.
I didn’t really make the connection between my lucky number and the month of my kids’ births until I sat down to write this post!
August sounds divine. And I have a friend born on 8/8, and he had a HUGE birthday party on 8/8/8.It was fun. Our August has pretty much sucked. School started on August 3rd. Argh.
August 3rd? Argh is right. We’ve had a pretty lazy August, so I’m grateful for that.
August- a month without any big national holidays but a lot of significance. Thank you for sharing your joys and sorrows of motherhood- posts like this always make me feel more normal. Enjoy the rest of lucky number eight!
Thank you Julia!
I’m so weird about numbers. I prefer odd to even, but I, also, like numbers that end in zero. Lol.
And I’m the opposite – I prefer even numbers with 8’s and 2’s.
Eight is a great number to be a favorite – I like the infinity symbol. I choose 14 now because it’s Christopher’s birthdate and I encouraged him to have that number on his team jersey’s if he had a choice.
Happy birthday to both your “kids”! Seems like you were just writing about Gwen going off to her first year of college. I’m going to need time to slow down a little.
I need time to slow down too! It’s funny – 8 is my lucky number, but my soccer jersey in high school was 22. That’s my second lucky number.
8 is my son’s favorite number right now! He only wants to wear t-shirts that say ‘8!’ I’m looking forward to your vacation posts. My family is hoping to plan an Alaska cruise soon.
Stay tuned… they are coming! I’m jealous that an Alaskan cruise for you doesn’t include a long plane ride. A perk of living on the West Coast!
Oh Dana, this is just so beautiful! I want those posts about your Alaskan Cruise! I just love that you had such an incredible trip with your family- and I love these memories, these treasures, these BIG mom moments you shared with us.
I have mine too in August. It’s a huge transition year for my kids- one to Middle School and one to High School. Remember that? lol 😉
I think I will feel the same way when my girl goes off to college- every single year.
Good luck, mama. We got this.
Ooh, this is a big year for you, Chris! I do remember that, even though it was (!) five years ago.
Yes, my friend. We got this.
That figure eight analogy is absolutely perfect.
August is a bit crushing and totally enthralling for me too.
I can’t wait to read your Alaska posts!!!!!
I’m working on them, Tamara – so many photos! And so many good ones, despite my mediocre abilities.
How did the summer fly by so quickly, eh? Now tell me, was it last summer you were here or two years ago? Sorry, my brain is on hold. I celebrated my birthday on an Alaskan cruise a few years ago and was dreading the arrival of the cake. It was with huge relief and great delight that they brandished the cake and plopped it down in front of my mom. She was a great sport and took it all in stride as my two, the waiters, fellow diners and I belted out a rousing Happy Birthday to her. Pressing the “hold button” for you so that your daughter can stay home just a weensy bit longer.
It was just last summer that we had Pimm’s Cups together, Kelly! Time does fly. Love that your mom took your birthday song for you:)
I’m so so glad that you wrote this. It’s beautiful and I have tears. August is August. It’s my birthday month, and the month after my son was born (had he been just weeks later, I’d have been 41 instead of 40 when he came to us and that feels worse somehow which is weird but is what is). This is so beautiful Dana. I love that you chose to stick to 8 as your lucky number, an inverted infinity. And wow, happy 19 to your sweet girl. Your AK trip sounds amazing. I want to know more. All the 8’s friend.
All the 8’s!
Happy Birthday to your daughter. Have a Happy rest of August too.
Thank you Vickie – you too!
Aw, Happy Birthday to your girl and I can’t even imagine dropping my girls off yet to college and leaving them there. I am pretty sure I will be a literal mess when that day comes. As for lucky numbers mine was 10 growing up as that was my birthday (June 10th).
You have many years before that day comes, Janine – enjoy them!
I was in Skagway in June. Sounds like you all had a fun time there. I think 8 is a good choice for lucky number. I wish you all the luck in the world.
Thank you so much, Kerry! We loved Skagway, and Juneau, and Ketchikan. And I know we didn’t even touch the tip of Alaska!
I had a couple friends with August birthdays growing up, but never any close family members until my husband and, then, two of three daughters with August birthdays. It’s gut wrenching – every single year.
I know you feel my pain, Lisa.
8 has always been a lucky number for me. My house number and my daughter weighed 8 pound 8 oz at birth. Happy Belated 16th for your son 🙂
Thank you Julie!