Happy Birthdays

Mary’s Monday Musings to Quilt Encouragement

Happy Birthdays

 

I remember birthday parties when my guests wore pigtails and the fun involved forming a ring by holding hands with all the children and circling while singing the song, ‘Ring around the Rosie’, or ‘Oats Peas, Beans, and Barley’ grow. Does anyone besides me remember that ancient English game? The favors were simple ‘crackers’ which were small cylinders consisting of cardboard and crepe paper. They made a satisfying bang when the party goers tugged the string.

No matter how a birthday is celebrated, it is a bang-up success if the honoree is circled by people who genuinely love the one with the birthday. When those guests represent a collage of shared memories, the celebration is doubly sweet because of shared history. A person is a creation of God; and, as such, each birthday is worthy of note. When children are young, a big fuss for the birthday serves more purpose than a good time. It helps convey to the young one that people are glad they were born, and that they are loved. For the older person, a birthday fuss carries the same reassurance that a life matters and others care that the individual was born. In these busy times, a phone call, a card, or a pat on the back to accompany a hearty Happy Birthday greeting are some ways to affirm God’s good work in creating people. Recognition brings people joy. Saying Happy Birthday in one way or another is significant.