Birthdays need to be celebrated. I think it is more important to celebrate a birthday than a successful exam, a promotion or a victory. Because to celebrate a birthday means to say to someone ‘thank you for being you’. Celebrating a birthday is exalting life and being glad for it. On a birthday we do not say ‘thanks for what you did or said or accomplished’ no, we say ‘thank you for being born and being among us’.
On birthdays we celebrate the present. This is the day that God has made for us to be and to be together.
We do not complain about what happened or speculate about what will happen but we lift someone up and let everyone say ‘we love you’. Celebrating a birthday reminds us of the goodness of life and in this spirit we really need to celebrate people’s birthdays by showing gratitude, kindness, forgiveness, gentleness and affection.
Consequently, a birthday party or function is an occasion to let everyone be a part of your happy moments. In this hi-tech era, we hardly have any time to relax and enjoy the company of family and friends. It is a time to be with your near and dear ones once again. Birthday is a time to celebrate a child’s presence in your life. In short, every birthday is a great occasion. It is an occasion to thank God for his wonderful graces; life is a gift from God. Therefore, we should thank Him for this gift. We should also thank him for His loving protection. Moreover, it is an opportunity to thank all those who love you.
I’m of the mindset that as far as birthdays go, bigger IS better. By bigger, I mean those huge expensive birthday celebrations that include all of my kids’ friends and my friends and their kids at my house climbing rock walls, sliding on portable water slide bounce houses, eating, four birthday cakes, and more eating. There is never a lack of food nor a chocolate fountain. Since I combine parties for all 7 kids (one big party in spring and another one in fall) I can justify spending over $500 on a party. Why would I put myself through this twice a year? Because in Vietnamese culture birthdays are not important, unless it’s the 1 month birthday of a child. I make it a point to celebrate my children’s birthdays every year and my kids seem to enjoy these lavish affairs. Maybe I do too, though I beg not to celebrate my own. All the hoopla makes me anxious. I’ve given a lot more thought to the significance of birthdays lately because I’m starting to feel my age and see how fast time slips by.
Yes, there is a lot of prep work and clean up but it’s worth it to see the smiles and to feel the excitement building up to the big day. This year’s birthday party is scheduled to be over eight hours long just because that’s how the rock wall and water slide worked out. This is not to mention all of the uncles and aunties coming from out of town to help celebrate. Of course, it’s also turned into an adult party with wine, beer, mixed drinks, and wedding videos. I can’t wait! I think the adults are more excited than the kids this year.
I’m sure they’ll be a few hairy moments and “Mom, he did…” “Mom, Jaden hit me….” or “Mom, I need help….” Maybe I’ll just have a few cocktails and take a nap and let my husband be mom and dad for the day.
Friday, May 27, 2011
Friday, May 6, 2011
Happy Mother's Day!
Mom,
Mom, thank you for teaching me that "everyone is equal in this world." That not one person is better than another. That we are all human and that we all make mistakes.
Mom, thank you for teaching me to "never go to bed angry at someone." That there is always tomorrow to discuss it over and come to some kind of agreement. To kiss and love the person anyway because we never know when they will be taken from us.
Mom, thank you for teaching me that "you can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar." That you should be kind and soft spoken instead of using harsh words. That anger just makes things worse.
Mom, thank you for teaching me that "if you haven't got anything nice to say don't say anything at all." That it is much better to remain silent than to say something that you will regret later on and cannot take back.
Mom, thank you for teaching me that "patience is a virtue." That in this world you will need to wait sometimes and that instant gratification just makes your heart want more.
Mom, thank you for teaching me that "good things come to those who must wait." That if it is meant to be it will happen. That if it is not meant to be than there is a reason even though we do not know why. That someday we will understand when the time is right.
Mom, thank you for teaching me to "treat others as you would like to be treated." That "putting yourself in someone else's shoes" will open your eyes to how they must feel.
I honor you, Mom, with my love and gratitude because of these things that you have taught me in life. I will never forget them. Because of you, Mom, I have become a person who tries to be nonjudgmental, kind, patient, fair, loving and compassionate. I only hope that I can pass these same characteristics down to my children, so that they will be as proud of me as I am of you.
May the good Lord continue to bless you with good health and many many more wonderful years to come. I Love You, Mom! Happy Mother's Day!
Mom, thank you for teaching me that "everyone is equal in this world." That not one person is better than another. That we are all human and that we all make mistakes.
Mom, thank you for teaching me to "never go to bed angry at someone." That there is always tomorrow to discuss it over and come to some kind of agreement. To kiss and love the person anyway because we never know when they will be taken from us.
Mom, thank you for teaching me that "you can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar." That you should be kind and soft spoken instead of using harsh words. That anger just makes things worse.
Mom, thank you for teaching me that "if you haven't got anything nice to say don't say anything at all." That it is much better to remain silent than to say something that you will regret later on and cannot take back.
Mom, thank you for teaching me that "patience is a virtue." That in this world you will need to wait sometimes and that instant gratification just makes your heart want more.
Mom, thank you for teaching me that "good things come to those who must wait." That if it is meant to be it will happen. That if it is not meant to be than there is a reason even though we do not know why. That someday we will understand when the time is right.
Mom, thank you for teaching me to "treat others as you would like to be treated." That "putting yourself in someone else's shoes" will open your eyes to how they must feel.
I honor you, Mom, with my love and gratitude because of these things that you have taught me in life. I will never forget them. Because of you, Mom, I have become a person who tries to be nonjudgmental, kind, patient, fair, loving and compassionate. I only hope that I can pass these same characteristics down to my children, so that they will be as proud of me as I am of you.
May the good Lord continue to bless you with good health and many many more wonderful years to come. I Love You, Mom! Happy Mother's Day!
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