From The Storyteller
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Hello All: My July smile is an invitation to both smile now, and also make your annual birthday celebration something truly worth remembering. Enjoy, Doug
Birthdays Officially my birth occurred on January 4th over 76 years ago. It was a good day for me, and if it were possible to ask my parents, I suspect they would also say it was a good day for them too. Unfortunately, for people born in early January there is a drawback. It can be identified in two words “Birthday Party”. Here I’m making a distinction between those who were unfortunately born near Christmas day, and those of us born in early January. Everyone recognizes near Christmas birthdays are tough on a kid, so extra efforts are taken to make sure those birthday celebrations are special. My early January experience was different. In early January folks, who would qualify as my birthday party regulars, have just finished two months of big meals, family gatherings, and partying. The result - my birthday parties consisted of just hearing “Happy Birthday” sung at the family dinner, with cake and ice cream as dessert. I accepted my January cake and ice cream limitation as a fact of my life - until my early thirties. Then one day I was told some insurance companies issue policies based on your age at your nearest birthday. True or not, I realized moving my birthday celebration 6 months ahead was a great idea. Note: January 4th to July 4th is exactly 6 months. Since then, my birthday parties have been outstanding with lots of friends enjoying the outdoors with BBQ, hotdogs, corn on the cob, fresh salads, hand cranked homemade ice cream, cake, adult beverages, games, and often the evening ends with some pretty major fireworks display. The date is easy to remember, so if you’re in the neighborhood stop by. If I’m busy elsewhere when you arrive, just mention my name and they will know you’re invited. Moral: Birthday celebrations are really about attitude. |