T-minus four days until I hit my thirty-third birthday! My party hat is practically on and I am ready for action. Action means a funnel cake cheeseburger from RA Bistro and some fancy dessert. Followed by a trip to North Carolina to see my parents and to enjoy a beach day with a few of my favorite ladies!
I get a kick out of thinking of past birthdays. How I could not wait to be the next year older since all my friends had already made it. Then, I would finally make team seven-year-old, team eight-year old, and team nine-year-old just in time for my friends to jump a year higher. It was highly frustrating – a bone I no longer feel the need to pick with them. ~smile~ “Yep, you guys go ahead and test out thirty-four for me. I will gladly lag behind. No problem!” Two of my childhood friends even have step-grandchildren! So, I guess I am lagging far behind!
Some of the gifts I received over the years stand out to me. I remember getting my first cordless phone for my bedroom when I turned twelve – a decision I am sure my mom regretted over the years. ~smile~ Dad and Mom surprised me with my first bike when I was five. When I turned twenty-two, Eric gave me the Back to the Future Trilogy on DVD – also a regretted decision by him (I can watch the same movie repeatedly for months… true story).
Reflection
Which birthday memories stand out to you? One experience that lives in the forefront of my mind actually happened on my brother-in-law’s birthday several years ago. As we finished up our meal, he took the bill and proceeded to pay it. I protested! It was his birthday. Paying for your own meal on your birthday must go against some federal law (or something like that); and, paying for your companions’ meals – how is that even allowed?
When I objected to his generous gesture, he just smiled and said, “Why can I not pay for someone else’s meal on my birthday?” I was humbled. It seemed so wrong, but it blessed me too.
But, it is a very good question! Why do our birthdays have to be solely about us? We can celebrate our own birthdays by doing something special for someone else. In fact, it may even be more fun that way!
{Eric’s note: I recall attending a birthday party for a college friend of mine. Many of us from the college group came to his house to celebrate. He did all of the serving, cooking, cleaning for the event. This made a lasting impression on me too.}
Here are a few ways to have a very happy “unbirthday” this year!
- Gift Bomb and Run – How fun to buy a special gift, place it on someone’s doorstep, ring the doorbell, and run? If you do not want to reveal yourself, just write “from a friend who thinks you are the best!” on the package. What a day brightener!
- Donate to a Charity – Is there a ministry or organization which is close to your heart? As a gift to yourself and them, consider giving some money to help fund their work. It is a relief to take a step back and consider others as better than ourselves (Philippians 2:3).
- Take Friends Out to Eat – Do what my brother-in-law did for us. Invite some friends out to celebrate with you and let the server know beforehand that you will be covering the bill. When they protest, let them know you wanted to bless them for your birthday. ~smile~ How can they argue? It is, after all, your birthday – and you are calling that shot. ~wink~
- Take Family on Vacation with You – Travelling somewhere special for your birthday? Maybe this year, your mom and dad can join you? Paying for someone(s) to travel with you is a substantial financial commitment, so be sure you are comfortable covering the cost before inviting the village!
- Host a Party and Invite People You Would Not Ordinarily Have Over – Are there people you sort of know, but would like to know better? Use your birthday as an excuse to make new friends! Have a birthday party and invite some folks who are not in your “normal” crowd. If you like pizza and games, have pizza and games. If you like s’mores around the campfire, have s’mores around the campfire. Celebrate in your own special way and reach out to others in the process.
- Buy a Small Gift for All the Children in Your Life – I cannot pass the dollar bin at Target without thinking of the little people I love and desiring to buy them a trinket of some kind. It is not wise to shower young children with gifts every time we see them, but once in a while as a special treat, they appreciate it. Children love receiving something with their names on it – in person and in the mail. Consider using your day to make some little faces light up. Sounds fun to me!
- Give a Meaningful Gift to Your Parents or to the People Who Helped Make You Who You Are Today! I remember a co-worker sending her mom flowers on her She said it was her and her mom’s special day. ~smile~ I loved that! How sweet!!! We would not have a birthday without our parents. And, where would we be if not without the support of family and friends? Use this time to say “thank you!”
- Dote on your sweetie! Maybe your boyfriend or girlfriend is planning a birthday surprise. Maybe you know reservations are being made and gifts are being wrapped. Maybe you are snickering to yourself because you are about to do something super amazing that will catch him or her completely off guard! Try not to ruin any plans your loved one has painstakingly worked out for you, but when the festivities cool down, pull out something awesome for him or her. Tickets, those earrings she keeps talking about, a special box of gourmet chocolates – whatever will make a deep and meaningful impression.
Whether your birthday is just around the corner, or months away, I hope it is a special one. Think of a few ways to extend some generosity with your next celebration. You can still be the star of the show while being a blessing to others. And those people may never forget it and blog about it years later. ~smile~
How will you bless someone else on your birthday this year?