Make Your Birthday Fun

Yesterday was my birthday.

Early in our marriage, Murray taught me a great lesson. He tells people he meets on February 11, “It’s my birthday today.”

Why not? Most people smile and tell him happy birthday. It makes him feel good and adds to his special day.

For a week or so, I’ve been reminding my family of this. I don’t want them to miss out on the joy of making me happy.

On Sunday I told Benjamin, “Don’t forget, my birthday is Thursday.”

He was home for the President’s Day weekend, so he said, “I know. I thought I’d take you out to eat tomorrow.” We decided to go out for ice cream. Yummy!

What an excellent example he set for the rest of the family.

My friend Laura asked me on Sunday if I’d like to have our lady’s Bible study on Thursday. I told her sure. “But it’s my birthday Thursday, so you guys will have to sing happy birthday to me.”

God bless them—they did. And they brought me a cake. And presents.

I called my mom early yesterday so she could have the privilege of blessing me. She knows me. She said she almost answered the phone by saying “Happy Birthday,” but decided not to take the chance.

For Valentine’s Day I made Murray a chocolate bar in one of the molds we have with braille messages. I had enough chocolate for two bars, so I made a happy birthday one for myself. I took it out early yesterday morning and offered some to everybody as they came downstairs.

So I told everybody I could yesterday, “Have a good day for my birthday.”

I received sweet and funny cards, calls, emails, lots of Facebook messages.

The verse of the day from bible.com?

For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.” Zephaniah 3:17

So much fun!

Murray and the kids were very good to me. Rebecca and Ping-Hwei sent me texts. Caleb called. Sarah sang to me first thing in the morning.

We had Five Guys burgers and rocky road ice cream for dinner, just like I asked. I should point out that they are always good to me, even without me asking.

They gave me many fun gifts, quite a few edible. My favorite?

Ping-Hwei gave me two rolls of wrapping paper to use to wrap presents for other people’s birthdays.

Guess whose birthday is next in our house? He is a smart young man.

Here’s a good reason for spreading the news of your birthday. I was a lot nicer to everybody else yesterday, too, since I was having a good day.

One day a year (why not?) make it all about you. Be sure to tell me when it’s your birthday. I’ll definitely give you happy wishes.

Another good lesson. A couple years ago, we were with our daughter Rebecca right around her birthday. We needed to make a decision about something, and she said, “It’s my birthday week. It’s my choice.”

So, even though my birthday was yesterday, if anybody wants to send me happy wishes still…