this week my mom celebrated her Nth birthday. We had a big dinner with most of my extended family members. We always have some to-do like this when there are occasions, but to me, they are rather impersonal. It makes me sad that we don't take birthdays too seriously here in my family, extended or otherwise.
I love birthdays. If it were up to me we would celebrate them for a whole entire week. Maybe because I feel (these days more than ever) that getting through a day is torture enough. Getting through a whole year and being alive to celebrate it should be cause for more than just greetings and a cake.
In Gilmore Girls, one of my most beloved shows, they celebrate birthdays in the most wacky and endearing ways. It starts with mallomars spelling out Happy Birthday on the coffee table, together with the most perfect personal gift, and a kickass party filled with people whom you actually want to see. Where they do not feel burdened by your invitation, do not feel burdened by having to get you a gift. Who not feel burdened by taking time out of their day to celebrate with you. I want so much to genuinely celebrate people's birthdays, and people's lives. Maybe at the moment that is the only value I can offer to anyone.
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