Wells resident Julie Seedorf’s column appears every Monday. Send email to her at hermionyvidaliabooks@gmail.com. Her Facebook page is http://www.facebook.com/julie.

The number on my age has climbed a notch in the last week. I love birthdays. I like to celebrate my age because I don’t like the thought of the alternative. My mom was a big birthday fan. She always made birthdays special. I have learned over the years as I got older that people don’t always share my enthusiasm for birthdays. To many it is just another day or a day to be ignored. I have a friend who shares the same birthday day, and so over the years we have celebrated our birthdays together in one way or another, maybe not always on the correct day but on a day that works for both of us. I believe birthdays should be special, and they are a day where you can reserve the right to celebrate you.

Over the years gifts from family have been varied. In the early years if I got an appliance from my husband for my birthday I would cry. He would think it was the best gift ever, and I wanted something cute or romantic. I didn’t want anything that was practical. What fun is that?

I know aging has hit because today I got the best birthday gift ever. I got a new range hood in my kitchen. I can see your faces now. Why would this woman be ecstatic about a range hood? There is a story behind my new range hood.

We moved into this house 22 years ago. My appliances got replaced because the appliances were old when we moved in, but my range hood never got replaced. It was brown and silver. I disliked it immensely, but according to the practical person in my house, it worked. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

Over the years new wallpaper was hung, the cupboards were updated with paint and new hardware was installed, and we replaced the stove. But the range hood still worked even though it clashed with everything in the kitchen.

At the very beginning when I was painting cupboards and walls I resigned myself to a few years with the old range hood that didn’t match anything. So, I painted it white and wallpapered the silver and brown trim. Weird I know, but it was better than the original, and I thought perhaps the ain’t-broke-don’t-fix-it person would hate it so much he would replace it. Didn’t happen — so over the 22 years when it started to look greasy and shabby I would repaint it in a different color or a different texture of paint. I would ask for a new one but always got the same answer; if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

The light finally burned out and a new one wouldn’t work. This happened a few months ago, but again it was still fine. And finally the fan fanned no more either. So this morning I was asked if I would like a new range hood for my birthday. I ran to the car to go shopping. After 22 years, at least one part of my kitchen will be a little more modern.

I no longer cry when I receive appliances for my birthday. New gadgets that are out to help my nonculinary talents are breathtaking. I swoon at new coffee makers or ice cream makers. Anything that makes my life easier taking care of my house is a win-win situation. I dance when I look at my beautiful new sleek white range hood with a quiet fan. Its bright light sheds brightness on my burned vegetables and makes me smile.

Birthday expectations used to get in the way of enjoying my day when I was younger. When it wasn’t remembered it became a deflating day. Now it is a day I celebrate whether others remember or not. I plan my own day, usually something I haven’t taken time to do that I enjoy, and I celebrate life and the fact I am still here to live it.

My message to others is to celebrate your day. Find your joy. Take time for you. Rejoice and be glad for this is the day the Lord has made. He brought you into the world on your special day and every life is a blessing. Happy birthday to everyone.