Birthdays

My firstborn turned 25 recently, and my ninth (out of ten) turned 8 today. I decided years ago that the day itself is not special, but we can make it so through our anticipation, preparation and celebration. In the mid-morning, Nate said with some disappointment that today didn't feel like his birthday -- just like a normal day. Later, though, after having a lunch date, finding a fun toy that I would actually buy, eating cake and getting presents, he said that he had a really good day and it finally felt like a birthday. Perhaps birthdays are a microcosm of life: they begin our lives, they represent our lives, and -- like our lives -- they are what we make of them.