You Can't Always Get What You Want...

During their first year of marriage, Co-Worker received a call from her husband's brother, inviting both of them and her parents to a birthday BBQ for her Sister-in-Law (SIL). Although her actual birthday was on a Thursday, the celebration would take place on a Saturday. "Sure, we'll be there!" Co-Worker accepted. Then she noted: "It's also my mother's birthday on that day." Please take note, that's all she said. She didn't suggest to make it a double party. She didn't ask to add her mother's name on the cake. However, her Brother-in-Law (BIL) responded "Oh, can you guys not mention that it's your mother's birthday. After all, this is SIL's birthday weekend."

Pausing for a moment to acknowledge the concept of the birthday weekend, which should really only apply if your birthday actually falls on a weekend, or by extension on a Monday. Otherwise it feels reminiscent of the Sex and the City episode leading into Charlotte's first wedding; "You guys, this is supposed to be my week!" she whines until Miranda puts her in her place, "You get a day, not a week." Co-worker's SIL is a quintessential only child (who makes the rest of us look bad) and always has to be at the centre of everyone's attention. One would think her birthday wouldn't be different than every other day, but apparently not. Even after her birthday, she can't share the spotlight on someone else's actual birthday. Additionally, other than the milestone years (16, 21, 30, 40 etc..) doesn't one get past making such a fuss over her birthday after the age of 10?  

Earlier this week, Co-Worker received a call from her BIL with the news that SIL's water broke and she would be delivering her twins a few days before her scheduled repeat C/Section. Co-Worker sensed that he seem subdued. "What's wrong?" she asked. He sighed. "Today is SIL's birthday. All she wanted was to have a singleton, and to not to have a baby on her birthday." Co-Worker and I waited until he called back and announced the arrival of two healthy twin girls before we burst out laughing and started crying crocodile tears over the fact that little Miss Super Fertile wasn't getting exactly what she wanted. The woman who couldn't even acknowledge someone else's birthday two days after her own, would now have to share her birthday with her daughters for the rest of their lives. Karma is a pissy little bitch.

No, you can't always get what you want

But if you try sometimes, you just might find 

You get what you need