Wish With Intention

Day 61 of 365

It was a tough birthday for our son. I mentioned yesterday that he always has high hopes for his birthday. He tries to be a realist, but, like me, he’s a bit of an idealist. Idealism has its pros and cons for sure. As an idealist, I can be pretty disillusioned by things. In my case, I can be a little disillusioned with humanity, though I remind myself that, though we do terrible things as a species, we are also miracles who do beautiful things as well. But I have to work to remember this, especially in recent years. I have concerns, but I digress.

Our son became an official teenager today. Thirteen feels kind of big when you’re a kid, and we had a series of unfortunate events today. I swear, I had a bad feeling when Ron was stung by yellow jackets who have built a nest under our deck. Ron dropped the duck eggs when he was stung. Wasted duck eggs made both of us sad. You worry when a day you want to be lovely starts off with negative energy. I just tried to be so positive and focus good energy on the day. It would not be enough.

We never made it to the ocean for the big birthday trip. Our water tank sprung a leak. We had water in the basement. We lost running water in our house. I called six plumbers, all of whom were so busy they would not be able to help us in the next week, month, or year. Finally, our neighbor recommended another neighbor who does some plumbing with his heating and cooling business, and we are going to be able to get help next week.

Ron was also able to do a temporary fix, so we can have water in the house sometimes in the immediate. I was so relieved and thankful for the help. But, in other bad news on the day, Our son’s one and only birthday present didn’t work. That was a heartbreaker for him–and us.

It was too late to drive to the coast, but we had been wanting to try a cafe in Blue Hill, Maine. So we drove to Blue Hill and so hopefully entered the cafe, only to find out they were closed. They were supposed to be open, but they had closed early because they were under-staffed. We rarely go out, but we have seen this happen several times in places in our area. I guess this is common. We didn’t know what to do.

We drove around a bit and found a restaurant with outdoor seating. We didn’t mention it was our son’s birthday, but they somehow took us to the best table anyway. Our son had the best view. A mama duck with a bunch of baby ducklings swam by as we waited for our food. There was also a family seated next to us who was just great. The kiddos were talkative and very entertaining. We all smiled at each other many times as the little girl, who must have been about four or five years old, told her parents her opinions on just about everything. Our family also had a wonderful conversation about how, if a bad birthday is the worst thing that ever happens, life is still pretty good. Our son agreed.

When we got home, Ron, the fixer of all things, set to work on repairing our son’s present while I put up the chickens and ducks. And, then, it was time for the cheesecake birthday cake I was up so late making last night. I found some special homemade beeswax candles to light for the wish making tradition. I always hate how the crappy candles I get from the grocery store drip strange colors of I-don’t-know-what on the cake. Plus, homemade is always better. I told our son that he had had.a crappy birthday and that, if ever there was a time to make a karmic birthday wish, it was today. I told him to make the best wish, to wish with intention. But, then, I reminded him that intention means also taking action. This is something I have learned from my witch friends, but I have learned that lots of religions believe and practice that prayer with intention requires action.

I lit the beautiful homemade candles, and that kiddo closed his eyes, made a wish, and blew out all of the candles in one breath.

I hope I was able to convey to him an important life lesson about living with intention–and about finding ways to be happy, even when things don’t go as we hope they will. I also tried to teach him the little magic of being a happier human when you are a disillusioned idealist–magic that requires action. I don’t know if it’s right, but I have come to develop a life philosophy that lightning can strike, that good things can happen, but you have too put yourself into the position for that good luck to find you. I’ve seen it happen.

I think I might be evidence of it..

Also, that cheesecake was perfect!