Earlier this year we celebrated a special one (that normally means one with a zero at the end!) with a big family party followed by a week in Rome.
Our sons' birthdays bookend the school summer holidays; one falling at the end of July, the other (celebrated just this week) at the beginning of September.
Then, on Sunday, we had lunch with a friend who was celebrating her 'name-day' - a tradition in some countries (often with a Roman Catholic tradition) which is as significant as one's birthday.
Of course we all know that The Queen has two birthdays - yet the UK isn't the only place where the birthdays of national leaders are celebrated. In the US Washington's birthday is marked in February by the federal holiday called 'Presidents' Day' as is Martin Luther King's in January. In India the anniversary of Gandhi's birthday is not only observed as a national holiday but all the liquor stores are closed out of respect for his tea total convictions.
The birthday we celebrated in our family this week was because one of our sons turned twenty (in Japan that would have meant he 'become of age'). Amid all the presents, singing of Happy Birthday, and a special meal in London I suppose his mum and I just marvelled that two decades have flown by since his arrival on a warm September day in 1994 - and I suspect it wasn't only his age that we were celebrating - we were also aware of our own advancing years too!
I'm always keen to celebrate birthdays because it seems to me they say something very special about our relationships. There's nothing wrong, and much that's right, about marking a promotion at work or success in an exam. These family celebrations value our achievements. But that's not what birthdays are about. They simply say: we are glad you were born and we feel privileged that you are sharing this journey of life alongside us.
So - whenever it's yours this year I hope you too either had or will have a Happy Birthday!
Best wishes,
Ian
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