BIRTHDAYS

(sigh)

Birthdays are a big deal in my house, even if you're struggling hard to forget them and their implication. The fact that you're fawned over by me and mine on that particular day of the year has given me pause to think about those whose families considered birthdays as just another day of the year. What a shame. Everyone needs to know they're special, that the day they were born was a significant time in the lives of those who love them. A special dinner, a favorite cake and flavor of ice cream, a few well-thought-out decorations and memorabilia, some photos of the birthday person in days gone by, several meaningful (not necessarily expensive) gifts all contribute to a festive and memorable time for everyone -- not just the one who's a year older. If you're a touchy/feely family you might even consider everyone relating a funny story about the birthday guy or girl and then adding one thing you love about him or her.
I have a friend whose family considered birthdays just another ho-hum day, and that's so sad to me. This friend seems to have difficulty accepting the fact that I'll make a big deal out of this day -- and hopefully the celebration of this day will be, from here on out, the significant time that's been missing in the past.

(sigh)