Thanks and Birthdays

  

            We have a number of birthdays coming up. Our kids count the days until the great day arrives. Yes, I can remember when my birthday would approach. The anticipation  was sometimes almost overwhelming. My wife says that at one of her birthdays when she was little, she got herself so worked up that when she opened a present that contained a new coat she so wanted, she actually forgot to breath, and fainted right over!

             Christmas still seems to have that same anticipated excitement for many of us, even when our own birthdays are not so quite a big thing as they used to be. And, I know, some actually remain twenty nine for fifty years or more in the hope that another birthday does not arrive.

            But this got me to thinking about birthdays; so many coming  crowding in on the farm in December. Just why do we celebrate a birthday? Why do we wish that someone has a particularly good day on their birthday? Don’t we wish well of our neighbor, especially those we love, every day? Or yet again, isn’t there a sort of loneliness, sometimes a real hurt if a loved one forgets our birthday. Or worse, for those who have no one that wishes them a happy birthday?

            And then the happiest thought came to me. It’s all about gratitude isn’t it. When we wish someone a happy birthday, are we not saying that we are really happy that they were born? That we really are thankful that they exist. That they add something special to our lives? something to are lives that no other could?

            What an amazing thing to be born. To be born. WOW! To be born into the world to make others lives better. That’s really what we’re celebrating are we not? That our lives are better now that they have been born. So really birthdays are not so much for myself, what I get out of them, but are really a chance for others to shower gratitude upon us for being born and making their lives more delightful.

            I think that is at the root of the hurt when someone’s birthday is forgotten. They don’t get any thank you's for being born? What, haven’t they  affected anyone’s life in a good way?

            This time it was the coming of birthdays that brought about a Thanksgiving  reflection.  Now, the remote birth of our nation to be sure.

            But oh so many birthdays to celebrate in my life. My parents, my wife, my children and so many friends and benefactors. Well my list would fill volumes. So this Thanksgiving is a renewal of the thought of gratitude. Just plain awesome gratitude for all of you.

 Oh. And yes , my twenty ninth birthday is  00 /  ** / ##. And don’t forget.

 

Have a very blessed Thanksgiving,

David Cools
www.jdoakes.com