Happy Birthday!

Today is my husbands birthday and I celebrate his 64 years of life, five with me as his wife. Oh, I know he has gray hair and all. So, do I and that is cause for gratitude.

Which brings me to my thought for today. Celebrations. Of any kind. A little history for you. The Egyptians were the first to celebrate birthdays.  And when birthdays were commonly celebrated during Roman times, only men were afforded the luxury of having a party for their birthday. As it has been for most of civilization, women were not allowed to be honored on their birthdays (or anything else) until many centuries later.

I realize that there are people who because of religious teachings feel that the celebration of a birthday should not be part of their rituals as it was based in some pagan tradition. Unfortunately, as civilization existed before the introduction of Christianity, one could most likely find a connection to most of the everyday celebrations that we are fond of. Something as simple as our days of the week have a pagan origin. Yet, who does not use a calendar to schedule their comings and goings?

But, I digress.

What I want to impress on you all is that celebrating the milestones in your life have great value. We get joy in noting certain accomplishments. The first steps of a little babe, the first words, the first grins/smiles, graduations, report cards, weddings, jobs, promotions, even retirements. Celebrating a birthday is noteworthy as it says that one has lived to see another day, another year in a life that many will never see or experience. It says that there is purpose left in the days you have left. That you can make a difference in this world, in your community, in your home. That there is a defined space of time that you still occupy that is yours to use to be blessed and to bless others.

Boomer wisdom encourages you to celebrate the life you’ve been granted. This very precious life. And, never pass up an opportunity to show your thanxsfulness for the gift by opening it joyfully and reverently, for no one knows the day or the hour that those celebrations shall come to a close. One caveat, in all your celebrating, use some of that affluence/affection to touch the lives of the needy. There, now, celebrate!

HaPpY, HaPpY BiRtHdAy huBbY!

Blessings to you all!