Happy Birthday

As each year comes to an end my family has several birthdays to celebrate. It starts in August and for each month until December there is at least one birthday per month. Just in my household alone we celebrate birthdays in October, November, and December. Wow!

Growing up birthdays were so important. My siblings and I always had cake from Buskens and Neopolitan ice cream from United Dairy Farmers. We looked forward to that and never imagined that we would not celebrate our special days in that fashion. Now that we are adults we carry that tradition on with our children. Just recently we celebrated my older son's birthday and we invited people over. I instill in my sons not to expect gifts but to appreciate that moment shared with family and friends.

I believe that birthdays are times of reflection and celebration. There is dollar value that can be placed on that. Whenever I meet a person and I know that it is their birthday I always ask "Are you going to have cake and ice cream?" It is just a habit. Years ago I met a man named Todd. We were friends briefly. He told me his birthday was approaching. He informed me that he did not have any plans. I called up one of my friends and purchased the cake and ice cream. We celebrated his day and he later told me how much that meant to him.

Learn to celebrate your day with family and friends. Maybe you don't want cake and ice cream. Maybe you want cheesecake with strawberries or a simple meal. Whatever your preference is make sure you share that day in order to create a lasting memory.

Happy Birthday to You!