But I also realize that not everyone likes birthdays. I know one person who does not recognize birthdays and never celebrates them. I wonder sometimes whether this person had a very unhappy childhood and therefore refuses to draw attention to a yearly reminder of it.
I like birthdays and I like to celebrate not only my own but those of others, especially the birthdays of my children. And I love giving presents, again, particularly to my children.
This past weekend my daughter turned 14 and we celebrated it by driving 250 miles to Tucson (Arizona) so that she could be with her big brother who is now a freshman at the University of Arizona. We encouraged her to choose the places where we dined, but of course the places she chose were those she knew that her brother would like too. We all enjoyed the restaurants she picked, and I think the ‘starving college student’ had his appetites more than satisfied.
We enjoyed the short trip and the change to the warmer climate of Tucson. Do you think the smiling face of my daughter shows some happiness? I do.