[tracylee]

The usuual thing for a birthday in the family is to have a huge family get together for a roast something. I am dreading this as I dont do well with large crowds of people. I am getting so anxious about this I am making myself sick. I just want to stay home wrapped up in my blue dressing gown and forget I am even here. It's my 40th birthday too!!

[biplol]

((((tracylee))) take baby steps, I know how you feel, it's horrible, but don't let the anxiety take you down.
I hope you can cope with it
~~~~hugs~~~~

well firstly, can i wish you a happy birthday for tomorrow.

i understand what you are going through. i think the best thing to do is to face it head on and just make the most of it. it might make you sick but it will be a huge accomplishment if you manage to get through it ok.

a suggestion would be to go to your gathering and tell them all you dont feel well, and that way you will have na excuse for being unhappy and they wwill respect the fact you arent well, they might not go home but they wont pressure you into things you just dont want to do. do you see what i mean?

i wish you all the best. and happy birthday for tomorrow. you know wha they say...life begins at 40.

simon

[EJ711]

Tracy,

Happy Birthday!

Just throw on something casual, but something you really like for the party. Then you can stay at the edges of the party. Is there going to be anybody there that you really like. You can socialize one-on-one. Next year can you tell someone that you would like a more intimate gathering, say six people at a restaurant?

Hugs,

EJ

[Ohlostme]

Happy Birthday tracilee!

It's funny that we have the opposite problem. You are anxiety ridden because people want to celebrate your birthday, and I get anxiety ridden because nobody cares about mine. I WISH I had people who cared about me enough to throw me a party. I had one party in my whole life - when I was 5 years old. As kids were running around my living room being kids, my nasty mother took one look at me and said "I hope you're enjoying this because it's the only party you're ever going to get." And it was!

When I turned 40, I went to Vegas (by myself, of course). I figured that was a crazy enough place to be when I was turning 40. I stayed up all night gambling in casinos, then just before dawn, I found a room at a hotel, took a hot shower & collapsed in bed. I woke up 2 days later with HORRIBLE flu. So, whatever happens to you on your 40th birthday, just tell yourself that it's better than what I went through.

Try to figure out some way to appreciate that people care so much about you. I've never had that. I'd trade places with you in a heartbeat.

[arod13]

happy birthday tracy
do whatever you want it is your day