Last week a friend asked what I would like to do for my birthday. I suggested lunch and shopping as I needed underwear and nightgowns! When I returned to home, I laughed out loud – underwear and nightgowns! Can you imagine! This started me thinking back to the years of other significant birthday celebrations which always began with a Manhattan or two, hors d’oeuvres, and a wonderful dinner with dessert with friends and co-workers.
Another was my forty-fifth birthday celebration. I was living with one of our Sisters who had three older sisters. They planned a dinner with a special cake. They also invited the two priests with whom we shared ministry. We began with a leisurely Manhattan (happy hour) and a home cooked dinner with all the trimmings. To close off the meal out came a fancy cake with candles and “Happy Birthday” written on it. Of course I was asked to cut the first piece of cake. Much to my surprise they had decorated a large “sponge!”
“Birth Days” – no matter how you celebrate them, God’s gift is the same “I love you with an everlasting love.”
Thinking about birthdays brings to mind many faces and places. Some friends are now celebrating in heaven and it gives cause to remember them and know they are still “presents” to us as well as those who are still travelling the earthly journey with us.
I invite you to do some reminiscing about celebrating your “Birth Day.” Each year is different but it is always the gift of life that we celebrate.
So if it be a Manhattan or underwear year – Celebrate.
Barbara Vaughan, CSJ