This past Sunday when I was attending University Lutheran Church in East Lansing for Pentecost, the children’s message was about birthdays. One of the questions the pastor asked the children was “what was their best birthday gift?” One of the kids said theirs was a cupcake maker, which sounded neat to me, but also got me thinking about what the best birthday gift I ever got was. I couldn’t, and still can’t, really think of any gift, good or bad, that I got on my birthday. This doesn’t mean I didn’t appreciate them, just that I don’t remember them.
What I do remember for my birthdays is the people I spent them with. I remember the birthdays we had with our family and one friend where we’d go bowling (or any activity we wanted, but always chose bowling) and have dinner. I remember my friends from college coming to the U.P. to celebrate my 21st birthday. I remember my co-workers decorating my cubicle and bringing in food. I remember my parents taking me to a restaurant for my birthday and almost everyone in the restaurant singing “Happy Birthday” to me.
This just goes to show what is truely important in life – family and friends. So next time you wonder what to get someone for their birthday – remember the best thing you can give – is yourself.
Well said, Rich: “This just goes to show what is truely important in life – family and friends.” I might add the birthday cake is good too.
I remember receiving your invitation to the Summer Explosion. I remember the “U.P. tour” and what a city girl I felt like! I remember spending your birthday with you and how much we all laughed. I remember the clocks in the room overlooking the lake. I remember thinking then that the sauna was strange, but oh how wonderful it sounds now in my “old” age! I also remember how gorgeous and peaceful your parent’s lakefront property was. And I remember that awesome Egyptian Scarob you received for a gift from someone. I remember the key collection in the house, the spiral staircase, and the automated system announcing visitors arriving (that last one still freaks me out). I remember feeling horrible that there was a miscommunication about spending the night, because I would never have wanted to hurt your feelings. I remember feeling lucky to have a tribe of great friends and hopeful that I always would. I remember being scared of the giant dragonflies at your lake, and making Jeremy mad when I splashed water on his shirt. I remember him going out for a boatride with your Dad. I remember you giving the three of us goodbye hugs and waving from the driveway when we pulled out. I remember that Jeremy wanted to drive all the way back in one night and yet somehow it didn’t feel like it took very long. We laughed so much that I felt I could ride in that car with my friends forever.