molly.com
Thursday 25 January 2007
Two Birthday Wishes
Is it okay to ask for two birthday wishes? My goodness, today I’m 44 years old. How did that happen? Where did the time go? I’ve woken up to a life that is completely different than I’d ever imagined, in almost all ways a magical and enchanted life that is richly blessed with friends.
But of course these midlife years make for some deep and often too dark nights of the soul. My 43rd year was frankly the most terrible year of my life. However, looking back at all the loss and self-abuse and depression and human failure I realize it was also a year in which I learned some incredibly important lessons about how I will live and how I want to be in the future. I suppose that’s what the rough times are all about.
In the course of my mental meanderings, I’ve realized that I have come to a place where I am clear about wanting only two things now out of life. It feels selfish to even ask, because I’ve been so profoundly and unusually blessed with opportunity, travel, and such great loving friends world-over. Who gets that? Why did I? What right have I to ask for anything in light of my bounty in a suffering world?
Of course, I am only human, and fundamentally egocentric. So here are my two birthday wishes.
- To continue to work in technology with the specific and clear goal of using it to enhance and improve the human condition
- To find my life’s love and settle in my growing older years (which have already started, fellas) into a quiet, loving relationship with a companion to care for and be cared for by. Now, that might seem rather romantic or simplistic or what have you, but that’s really all I ever wanted out of life. Funny how it’s the one thing that’s always eluded me. Sure, I’ve had love and in fact experienced many great relationships over the years. But now I guess is a settling time, and I mean that in a spiritual sense.
So that’s where I’m at today, thinking of life as I enter my 44th year. It cannot go without saying that every person who has touched my life, via this blog, my work and so forth has enriched it and helped me not just survive, but thrive, even on those days when I simply didn’t want to. So thank you all so very much for saving me, valuing me and caring for me as I make my way through this journey called life.
Filed under: faith(less), society, announcement
Posted by: Molly | 3:00 pm |
January 25th, 2007 at 3:05 pm
Happy Birthday! Hope you have a fabulous day.
Did wish you happy birthday at 00:02 GMT on Twitter, but not sure if you will have seen that.
Looking forward to tomorrow night.
- Neil
January 25th, 2007 at 3:17 pm
From Olly to Molly… Happy Birthday!
January 25th, 2007 at 3:32 pm
Happy Birthday!
January 25th, 2007 at 3:54 pm
Happy Birthday! We miss you in #wordpress, I hope you give up this whole blogging thing soon and come talk to us instead.
Love, tunicwriter. 
January 25th, 2007 at 3:55 pm
I’m just a few days older than you, so I really understand all the things you are talking about. Especially the “dark nights of the soul”, you do start to question the whys and wherefores in life at this age. But it also gives you purpose, which I think you have found.
And yes you are “unusually blessed”, but then I suspect and anyone in the Web Industry could be in your place given the right motivation etc.
Have a good one and look forward not back.
January 25th, 2007 at 4:11 pm
Happy 29th birthday! May both your wishes come true sooner than you can say “but really, I’m forty four”.
January 25th, 2007 at 4:26 pm
Happy birthday, Molly! I’m about six months behind you and can definitely relate to the dark nights of the soul. The 40s don’t seem like the most pleasant age to be sure, but the good news is that it’s all uphill after this; I’ve seen studies that say that 42 years old is the nadir, and that people generally get happier after that. So best wishes on this milepost on your journey to better things.
January 25th, 2007 at 4:27 pm
Happy Birthday! Wishing you a great day!.
As someone who is already 47 (and proud of it) I can certainly say that the better half of our lives as women starts after 45.
I always said that once you’re 40 people respect you more when you have soemthing to say, they listen to you more. Once you’re 50 they alraedy think you’re wise! I can’t wait to be 50.
Have a great time and celebrate!
January 25th, 2007 at 4:34 pm
Happy birthday!!!
may you get your heart’s desires…
January 25th, 2007 at 4:45 pm
*big hugs* from the other side of the planet.
January 25th, 2007 at 4:59 pm
Happy Birthday Molly - you’re a couple of years ahead of me (well, 14 or so). Hope you enjoy the day!
January 25th, 2007 at 5:13 pm
Well it is my birthday today too. I am 30.
Happy birthday.
January 25th, 2007 at 5:14 pm
Seek the kingdom of heaven with all your heart and ‘all these things will be added onto you’. Its 100% true.
January 25th, 2007 at 5:20 pm
Happy birthday, Molly (from another 14-year-old-in-spirit)!
Looking forward to wishing it in person shortly at WDN/Vancouver.
January 25th, 2007 at 5:20 pm
Happy birthday, Molly!
January 25th, 2007 at 5:31 pm
Happy birthday, Molly.
January 25th, 2007 at 5:38 pm
Molly, congratulations on making through another one, and may your wishes come true in he best way possible. I’ve really enjoyed our friendship over the years, and hope for many more to come.
John G.
January 25th, 2007 at 5:44 pm
Happy birthday! I can’t be at the bash, but will definitely be raising a flagon of Old Scumfungus in salutation.
January 25th, 2007 at 6:01 pm
Happy birthday Molly!
See you back in Austin soon!
January 25th, 2007 at 6:34 pm
Happy birthday! I’m off to find some of that Scumfungus Bruce talks of to celebrate; cheers.
January 25th, 2007 at 6:42 pm
Happy birthday, Molly! Hope all your wishes come true! *hugs*
January 25th, 2007 at 6:57 pm
Happy Birthday, Molly
(departs to play Hunt the Scumfungus)
January 25th, 2007 at 7:21 pm
Happy birthday Molly, the best is yet to come *big hug*
January 25th, 2007 at 7:30 pm
Molly, wishing you the best today and this next year… happy birthday! Here’s to hoping you get your two wishes, and more. Cheers!
January 25th, 2007 at 8:01 pm
PS Sorry I won’t be able to make the bash tomorrow, my Learjet is in for repairs.
January 25th, 2007 at 8:16 pm
Happy Birthday, Molly. How about I buy you a cupcake in Austin?
January 25th, 2007 at 8:30 pm
Happy Birthday Molly!!
January 25th, 2007 at 8:36 pm
we love you Molly…
January 25th, 2007 at 8:40 pm
As they say in tagalog, Maligayang Bati Molly!
January 25th, 2007 at 9:00 pm
Happy Birthday Molly. Here’s hoping you get all you wish for this year.
January 25th, 2007 at 9:33 pm
sorry to hear that your 43rd year was not the best. i imagine ac had a lot to do with that youre best rid believe me!!!!
January 25th, 2007 at 9:58 pm
Happy Birthday, Miss Molly…Mike has a book for you from me set in the pre-Katrina New Orleans nouvelle cuisine underworld…I for one vote for this to be the Year Of Blameless and Utter Happiness…enough with experience and shaping of character…women like you and I are experienced and shapely enough, dammit! Time for some fucking happiness!!!
January 25th, 2007 at 10:24 pm
Molly,
Happy birthday. Party! Live!
There’s a whole bunch of us focusing on wish #1 as well, so feel free to divert your attention to #2 a bit more, every now and then, okay?
January 25th, 2007 at 10:36 pm
Happy, happy birthday Molly!!
January 26th, 2007 at 12:15 am
Appy birfday Molly. I found you last year, didn’t realise it was your worst year yet, thought that must be what you are like all the time! But I’ve stuck with reading your blog and found it very enlightening in many ways. I’m glad things are on the improve for you now & I really hope with all my heart that you find your true love, I think wish #1 is a given, provided you stay healthy & keep aiming for true happiness as we all do (few truly attain it). I turned 40 on the 21st so I guess I’ll be doing some navel gazing now.
January 26th, 2007 at 4:21 am
Happy Birthday.
January 26th, 2007 at 4:34 am
Happy birthday Molly!
January 26th, 2007 at 8:03 am
When the going gets tough… well you know who gets going Molly.
Happy birthday. May your wishes come true
January 26th, 2007 at 9:46 am
Happy birthday!
January 26th, 2007 at 11:12 am
Congrats on reaching forty-four! My body reached its thirty-eight year earlier this week. What I want to know is how we are expected to act our age when we’ve never been this age before?! As I often say to five-years-younger wife, I’m only as old as the person I feel…
January 26th, 2007 at 12:47 pm
Happy Birthday for yesterday, Molly! x
January 26th, 2007 at 2:13 pm
Happy Birthday, Web Queen! You share a birthday with my own lovely wife.
January 26th, 2007 at 2:29 pm
Happy B-day Molly!
January 26th, 2007 at 3:08 pm
Happy Birthday Molly! May your wishes become reality. You deserve it!
January 26th, 2007 at 10:01 pm
happy belated birthday!
you’re my inspiration.
January 26th, 2007 at 10:12 pm
Happy birthday Molly! With much love and many hugs in about a week!
January 26th, 2007 at 11:52 pm
Happy Birthday Molly! 44 is a fabulous age to be. When I hit 44, I met my life love in the oddest of circ’s and got married ten months later. We can’t see around corners so you never know…
I hope this coming year brings you much happiness and peace. x
January 27th, 2007 at 12:09 am
Happy Birthday, Molly. I wish in my 44 I will reach as much goals and did as much great things as you did. May you wishes come true!
January 27th, 2007 at 12:26 am
Happy belated birthday Molly, and so lovely to see you tonight. You animate all that is around you! My lamb was fairly good too.
January 27th, 2007 at 12:42 am
Happy Birthday Molly.
My Mother once told me that the only time she realizes she’s older, is when she looks back at herself in the mirror. Otherwise, she views herself to be quite young.
I agree.
May you always view yourself the age you want to be - not what the mirror tells us.
Many, many blessings to you.
January 27th, 2007 at 2:10 am
11, 22, 33, 44, 55…. Special years
Take advantage of this magical year and love yourself your awesome. This is my 55th year and it has been wonderful, wishing the same for you. Good wishes, good luck!
January 27th, 2007 at 4:48 am
Molly, you do know that 40 is the new 30. You’re not “old” by any means and you are sharper than most of us out here. Live your life well and exactly as you see fit. And have fun.
January 27th, 2007 at 9:47 am
To find my life’s love and settle in my growing older years (which have already started, fellas) into a quiet, loving relationship with a companion to care for and be cared for by.
Wish you luck - i found him!
Antje
January 27th, 2007 at 10:31 am
Happy 15th anniversary of your 29th birthday
Sorry I didn’t make it out last night for some curry but hope you had a brilliant time none the less.
Also - good luck with the two wishes! Remember, you always seem to find what you want when you stop looking…
January 27th, 2007 at 5:45 pm
Pardon me for pointing out that it appears to be the 44th year that you completed prior to reaching the day of celebration, and the 45th year that you just started. (I guess you did not count your day of birth as your first birthday, although this would make sense, wouldn’t it?)
Happy birthday anyhow!
January 28th, 2007 at 2:26 am
Happy birthday! I remember when I was about 10 and my sister was 25. I thought she was very old. Now that I am 28 and my sister is 43, I have a distinctly different perspective. (One small note, this is your 45th year, since you don’t turn one until the end of your first year.)
January 28th, 2007 at 11:01 pm
Happy Birthday Molly!
January 29th, 2007 at 9:01 pm
Molly, there’s a book you need to read ~ it’s called “The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho. It’s an old classic and is about following your dreams. The most important message it offers? When you want something and make efforts to get it, the universe will conspire to help you.
Don’t wish. Just go get.
And welcome to a new Molly year… you do realize that this is going to be a big swing from last year, don’t you? You’ve paid your dues. Now comes the good stuff. It’s up to you to put it into motion! Enjoy.
January 30th, 2007 at 5:06 am
Dear Molly,
Your wishes manage to succinctly articulate some of my own feelings. Which caught me by surprise as I had not quite appreciated where my own feelings lie. If you don’t mind I would like to use them as a starting point myself.
Hope your wishes come true.
Thanks,
Roy
January 31st, 2007 at 4:45 am
Right back at ya Molly, you’ve touched my life through this blog and I thank you for all your hard work. Happy Birthday and here’s to many more
January 31st, 2007 at 10:06 am
Happy Birthday! May all your birthday wishes come true
January 31st, 2007 at 10:07 am
hugs, kisses and best wishes
January 31st, 2007 at 10:17 pm
Hiya Molly, was caught snoozing here in the UK, but Happy Happy Birthday, sorry it’s late. I really do wish you all the best. Catch you soon I hope
February 1st, 2007 at 4:47 am
Molly:
This a bit belated, but Happy Birthday! I turned 48 on the 30th, and I, for one, am glad you made it to 44!
—
May the year that lies before you and the one you’ve left behind / Bring a sense of joy and laughter as you filter with your mind.
May you understand the purpose for the friend of mortal life / Is to be reward for living through the fears and inward strife.
As you seek to know the reason for a life of too much pain / May you never loose the knowledge that your heart’s will strong remain.
—
I hope your day was glorious!
–Russ W.
Minneapolis, MN
February 5th, 2007 at 10:06 am
Happy birthday - i just turned 44 two days ago! I can understand!
February 13th, 2007 at 9:47 pm
Happy Belated Birthday,
I am very new to this blog however, I enjoyed reading about your sucess in actually getting Microsoft to recognize your talents. I really hope you can convince them to be the first make a fully standards compliant browser. I actually doubt they ever will due to the fact of so many of the websites out there already that are not even close to compliant.
I am about your age though I’m a bit younger. I think you are a very attractive woman from the pictures I have seen. I also have a love of web design and development as well as standards.
February 15th, 2007 at 3:44 pm
c’est un trop jolie site
))
hav a fun day
February 16th, 2007 at 5:40 pm
i tink dat u suck and u need a lofe cos u r soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo sad. dat u broadcast ur own tougts come on go suck my granny’s ass
February 19th, 2007 at 7:28 pm
i think ur gay and need to get hit by a bus
February 23rd, 2007 at 9:38 pm
what are you smoking?
February 24th, 2007 at 6:02 am
Molly, I wish you a very happy and very belated birthday! I was very busy and just started going backwards to see what I’ve missed. I really want to see as soon as at sxsw. Plan one evening for two of us again. I wish you find whatever you’re looking for. I haven’t accomplished a tip of the iceberg of what you’ve done. Thanks for everything, darling.
Alla
February 25th, 2007 at 10:14 pm
happy b-day to me today!!!!!!!!!!!!1
February 26th, 2007 at 12:59 pm
Ugh, I can’t believe I missed your birtday. Belated birthday greetings Miss Molly.
March 1st, 2007 at 2:57 am
hi
March 1st, 2007 at 10:13 pm
I missed your birthday. Belated birthday greetings!
Thank you for this grat blog.
March 10th, 2007 at 5:54 pm
Happy Belated Birthday ,
Hi Mollers,so happy you’re doing well
March 22nd, 2007 at 2:26 am
happy birth day to you
May 7th, 2007 at 9:48 am
may i get ur friendship
I AM AN INDIAN ,FROM THE GOD’S OWN COUNTRY KERALA
24 yr old,Engineering graduate ,currently Working at Kerala State Electricity Board .Hoping u replay.
MAY THE ALMIGHTY GOD BLESS U
July 2nd, 2007 at 9:13 pm
happy birthday to you…
July 8th, 2007 at 1:52 pm
Happy birthday Molly
July 9th, 2007 at 6:11 am
Hello
Happy birthday Molly!
July 12th, 2007 at 2:33 am
Happy B-Day Molly!
July 15th, 2007 at 7:08 am
Hi,happy birthday to you! just came across your site while i was looking for birthday wish ideas…it’s helped!
August 16th, 2007 at 12:25 pm
Best wishes to your birthday molly! I´m quite a bit late, but best wishes never come to late. I respect you and your work very much! Many blessings to you! Keep up the fantastic work! May all your wishes come true!
September 22nd, 2007 at 6:00 pm
nice
September 25th, 2007 at 1:28 pm
schöne seite, ich komme wieder
Gruss Mike
October 4th, 2007 at 4:35 am
Thanks for the great tips!
A must read for all the users out there!
October 8th, 2007 at 6:54 am
Thanks for very interesting article.
October 18th, 2007 at 1:48 am
I found this on google when searching for two birthday wishes, to see if a friend’s recent article on their blog had been picked up on the search engines. As this was number one, I thought I’d take the time out to read it and to be the first to wish you happy birthday in 2008!
November 16th, 2007 at 6:03 pm
Each year your birthday reminds me
That I really want to say
I’m very glad I know you;
On your birthday,
I wish for you the fulfillment
of all your fondest dreams.
I hope that for every candle
on your cake
you get a wonderful surprise.
I wish for you that
whatever you want most in life,
it comes to you,
just the way you imagined it,
or better.
I hope you get as much pleasure
from our friendship as I do.
November 16th, 2007 at 6:14 pm
Always
Think of the past
Work for the present
And plan for the future
Sorry for the past
Worry for the present
And aware of the future
November 16th, 2007 at 6:23 pm
Nature as teacher
Nature is so kind
Gives everything
Man being super brilliant
But ready to blame
Enjoys others suffering
Therefore
We should learn from nature
November 16th, 2007 at 6:30 pm
Love
Love spreads peace all around
Love knows no distance , no time
Love is enjoying crazy moments
And rosy days together
The pleasure of love is in living
November 16th, 2007 at 6:39 pm
Unconditional love
In deed love you have
Given me is beyond measure
You care for me everytime
Your arms are wide open
To accept me as I am
My every heart beat
Praises you
And my soul longs
To meet you
November 16th, 2007 at 6:40 pm
Companion
Company is neededfor every individual
But try to distinguish. Whether he is a
Fake or real & never try to imitate
Imitate may sometime harm you
November 20th, 2007 at 7:21 pm
thanks
December 2nd, 2007 at 4:35 pm
thank you
December 2nd, 2007 at 4:36 pm
good
January 14th, 2008 at 10:08 am
I use it every time and get a good results.
January 18th, 2008 at 5:33 pm
thank you
January 23rd, 2008 at 1:10 am
thanks
http://www.leo.gen.tr vbulletin Leo
http://www.yesimm.net Aşk sevgi
January 29th, 2008 at 12:27 pm
thanx
January 31st, 2008 at 7:39 pm
Those who choose to take the “slights and disappointments” path, meanwhile, are very generously compensated for their trouble
February 10th, 2008 at 2:50 pm
Happy Belated Birthday ,
Hi Mollers,so happy you’re doing well
http://gamze-ozcelik-tr.blogspot.com
March 4th, 2008 at 3:50 am
I use it every time and get a good results.
March 7th, 2008 at 1:23 pm
thanks molly
March 17th, 2008 at 7:00 am
thanks
March 30th, 2008 at 9:53 am
thanks
March 31st, 2008 at 6:17 pm
if you feel it then you are young every age of your life
April 22nd, 2008 at 7:38 pm
Thanks,very nice blog.
April 22nd, 2008 at 7:38 pm
Nice job.
May 28th, 2008 at 11:44 am
good article
June 5th, 2008 at 8:04 am
thanx th
June 5th, 2008 at 8:04 am
oteller….
June 5th, 2008 at 8:04 am
game cheats new
June 5th, 2008 at 8:05 am
thank you oyun hileleri
June 5th, 2008 at 8:05 am
metin2 hileleri
June 5th, 2008 at 8:10 am
than man
June 8th, 2008 at 1:34 pm
Thanks,very nice blog.
July 14th, 2008 at 6:47 am
faith is the key that shuts the spring of love.