My birthday is in March. I met a friend for dinner last night. We usually walk, but the wind was so strong we decided to have dinner instead and she surprised me with birthday blessings. It was special and we had fun. When I threw a birthday party for myself a few years ago I handed out this quote by Henry J. M. Nouwen:
Celebrating Being Alive
“Birthdays are so important. On our birthdays we celebrate being alive. On our birthdays people can say to us, “Thank you for being!” Birthday presents are signs of our families’ and friends’ joy that we are part of their lives. Little children often look forward to their birthdays for months. Their birthdays are their big days, when they are the center of attention and all their friends come to celebrate.
We should never forget our birthdays or the birthdays of those who are close to us. Birthdays keep us childlike. They remind us that what is important is not what we do or accomplish, not what we have or who we know, but that we are, here and now. On birthdays let us be grateful for the gift of life.”
You are so right in that we should remember foremost to be grateful for the gift of life.
Also, could you explain the “birthday blessings” with which your friend surprised you.
Happy March birthday to you, Valerie!
Thank you for the birthday wishes Audrey.
My friend bought me dinner, gave me a card and blessed me with words of love and affirmation, and we did some reminiscing too. The fun part was I didn’t have ANY thoughts of my birthday when we got together so it was a surprise.
You have a wonderful friend.
Yes, I do. 😉