A Note To My Family

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For My Family
 
A good friend
told me 
her family
no longer
celebrates birthdays 
with gifts.

Because they grew weary
of failed expectations
they have canceled 
birthday observances.

I want to be sure
you know 
I do not feel 
the same way.
******** 
by Lori Lipsky
photo credit: istockphoto/Creativeye99

29 thoughts on “A Note To My Family”

  1. Oh, I think it is good to celebrate birthday’s – in fact we’re off to dinner for my brother-in-law’s birthday tonight!

  2. I celebrate my kids’ birthdays and family and friends ones, but if people forget mine, it doesn’t bother me (seriously) in fact I tend not to tell people when it is haha

  3. I LOVE the way you communicate, Lori! This gave me a good laugh to start my day. :D May your family always celebrate your birthday with sweetness and joy.

  4. This is fun. I like to get presents too. It doesn’t have to be big. But please have it wrapped, or at least in a bag. By the way, I really like the pictures you’ve been choosing! They are perfect.

    • I think everyone likes to get presents. It’s good to know someone cares. I do love the unwrapping part!

      I’ve been spending such a long time choosing just the right picture. I’m glad you’ve noticed. I’d like to get more from you soon, if you are willing. :)

  8. I celebrate all birthdays. And since every day is someone’s birthday, it seems that I will be busy celebrating for years to come. A joyful thought, indeed! As to gifts – I’ll take the gift of time, the most precious gift of all.

  9. I’m with you! I tell my children everyday is our birthday so lets celebrate everyday. And we do! Not always with expensive gifts, but with notes, emails, secret cards under pillws, surprise cookes in the mail, and biggest of all, we wish each other happy day everyday…without fail!

  11. Oh yes, why not?! Birthdays are not meant to be all serious and about expensive gifts – are they. Last year I completely ignored my friend’s wish list and bought her lots of little, colourful gadgety things and she loved it. For me personally, it is not about the gift – just getting to spend time with family and friends makes it a good birthday. No cancelling birthdays on my watch.

    • I want to spend time with family and/or friends AND open a gift or two. I’m spoiled, I think. :) My mom always made a big deal of birthdays.

      I do also really love to give gifts.

      Going off-list can be risky, but it’s so great when it works out! Good to see you over here on a North American Patio, Jacquie!!

  12. Gosh – look at all these comments. Did you go viral on me, Lori? Seriously, I know it’s because you write such wonderful posts and poems. You are a gifted writer.
    Congrats!
    Sue

  13. I feel the same way, Lori; don’t forget my birthday….!
    However (and this may sound mercenary), my daughter and I started a tradition some years ago. We ‘take each other shopping’ for our birthday/Christmas gifts. This way we get ‘what we like’, and I no longer have to get that terrible looking vase out of the closet when she visits… haha…
    Not quite that bad, Lori, though this system does work, and it doesn’t detract from the pleasure of giving or receiving… ;)

  14. Oh, I am definitely with you on this! Some of my family have stopped the tradition of gift giving for any occasion. Now some of my friends feel more like family.

    • Interesting perspective, Dor. Same thing with some in our family. You’ve got me thinking.

      For some of us, a gift says love. To others it’s a burden. We don’t all think alike, I guess.

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