We celebrated my mother’s 80th birthday with good friends, good conversation, and good food. We honored her with our attendance. But we did a little more.
Brother Don gave anyone who wanted an opportunity to say something about her and to her: what she meant to us, why she was special. As he said:
How many funerals have you been to? If you’re like me, too many. People will go to a funeral and say nice things about the deceased and wish they had said them earlier, while the person was still around to hear them. A birthday is a great opportunity to say those nice things.
It was nice to hear how my mother is loved by so many people; it was nice to say why she is special to me and that I love her.
What do you think? Would you speak at a friend’s birthday party? Would you want this done at yours?
Do you think there’s any reason to limit this to a certain age category? I don’t.
2 responses to “Honoring A Birthday”
This was done at one of my birthdays – a few years ago. It was video-taped and is one of my treasures. Sometimes one I am wondering what have I done in all these years, I get it out and enjoy. Also did it for one of my best friends while she was terminally ill with cancer. In addition to saying nice things, we asked that no one bring her gifts (what do you get for someone who is dying), but to do a random act of kindness in her name and share it with her at the party. Highly recommend it to everyone.
Nice! I like the random act of kindness and sharing idea. That sounds like fun, too. :-)