The Writers' Circle

Six people live in our house, ranging in age from six months to forty years old, with me being the oldest. All of us come from what's considered to be rather large families by today's standards. You guessed it-we all have birthdays! 
We don't make a big deal over mine, at my request, since I turned forty. Throw in the fact that my birthday falls on my dad's big day, as well, and when he passed away in 1992 I never quite celebrated them as I had before. Counting all of us we get to celebrate once or twice a month.


 	The lucky ones are under twenty-one; we make a huge deal out of their birthdays. Parties, cake and ice cream. Theme parties are all the rage at our house. Kids are known to ask months in advance for their theme. We've done McDonalds, Bowling, Piñatas, Swimming and Chucky Cheese, you know the standard. Scooby-Doo, SpongeBobSquarePants and Buzz Lightyear have all made special appearances at a child's request. 


We have had the pleasure of trekking on scavenger hunts in the park, or fifty people parking in a field to hide their cars for a surprise party. I almost always make cakes at home, unless of course it's my birthday or I'm sick. Presents are chosen very carefully-always the "big" gift followed by several smaller ones and then the cards, some of which are picked out months in advance. All include some kind of monetary reward for the birthday bearer. Candles to blow out, a sport in which we indulge the kids and adults, alike. We always use the exact number of the b-day age, so what if we have to call the fire department on occasion! Let them eat cake!


 	For the adults, we are a little less inclined to celebrate so grandly. Most times a cake and a terribly off-key rendition of Happy Birthday is our favored version. We'll even sing to you over the phone if you happen to live in another house! No matter how we choose to celebrate the annual birth of any member of our family, we never forget to say---"Happy Birthday to You!"