We Wish you a Merry Birthday

A couple of weeks ago I sent an e-mail to an old friend from high school. Logged onto my computer Monday morning at work, first thing a reminder popped up for his birthday. So I sent a quick message with warm birthday wishes. In a few minutes he called me. Seems he had forgotten it was his birthday, and to tell the truth wasn't altogether thrilled to be reminded he was getting older. Like a true friend, I assured him that this was indeed a sign he is getting much older and should start taking vitamins immediately.

I have another friend who's birthday was last Sunday. (On a strange side note, it seems like all my friends have birthdays. I haven't checked with every one of them but it would be quite a coincidence if they ALL did.) My wife and I have known her for a while, long enough to know, I guess, when her birthday is. But I don't remember it ever coming up in a conversation, and like most guys I'm not the sort to seek it out and try to remember it. Usually I'm doing good to remember any birthday other than my wife and kids. I didn't have a card or present since we were at church when I found out it was her birthday. I told her I hoped she had a great birthday and remarked on many ways that her life was really, really good. She could tell my comments were true and from the heart, which made for an appropriate and I think appreciated birthday gift.

My sister's birthday is also right near Christmas. Like my friend at church, her birthday is often overshadowed by Christmas. I will not join those who rant and rave about the commercialization, etc. but things can get very busy with all the extras on the calendar and to do list. My parents always made a special effort to make her birthday memorable and to make sure it didn't get lost in the shuffle (plus she was the only girl so always got special treatment anyway).

All this birthday stuff right near Christmas started me thinking about another friend who's birthday is on Christmas day. That would be really tough, I suppose, but I've never heard him complain. He is the sort of guy who gives without any strings and instead of being offended that you forgot his birthday, would look for an opportunity to strengthen the friendship. One year when he was little some potentates threw him a surprise party with some really expensive gifts, but much of the time I suspect his birthday too gets lost in the shuffle of Christmas.

This year I'm going to make a point of telling him happy birthday and giving him a present. He's pretty well off so there's nothing I could buy that he needs (or wants, for that matter), but I suspect that like my friend at church, a gift from the heart would be appropriate and just the sort of thing He would appreciate.