I’ve been thinking …
About birthdays.
It is birthday season in our family. When the kids were young, we had big family parties on Mother’s Day to celebrate our two and cousins’ May birthdays.
I was so grateful to have the little ones to focus on as it took away the sting of not having my amazing mom with us.
Now I have grands who were born on either side of Mother’s Day – guaranteeing that this is always a wonderful weekend.
It certainly was this year as birthdays are so very special for 6- and 8-year-olds. Their mommy knows how important it is to host a party for school friends. They planned the food and activities together — a play gym for one and a “half” sleepover for the other. And fun for all of us.
I had forgotten how giving and going to parties is so important to little kids.
Will he like the gift I picked out?
Did I pay attention to everyone?
Is my friend having fun at her party?
Are my birthday guests having a good time?
It was a joy to be the helper on the sidelines, so I could enjoy seeing their delightful — and thoughtful — interactions. The homemade cards with personal messages were so sweet, as was seeing the birthday child read and appreciate those cards. Then helping with the important step of penning thank you notes to all the guests – for the kind gift and for sharing in the day.
Birthdays are not a big deal for adults. Honestly, wouldn’t we prefer to just ignore them?! But birthdays for children are huge milestones. Each new age signals new … EVERYTHING!
Look at my new tooth!
Look at me ride my bike!
Look how tall I am!
Look at me read!
This is what birthdays are about — celebrating the anticipation of all that this personal New Year will bring.
No matter what age we are!
