Every day is a special one

CINDY TRANE CHRISTESON

“The secret of staying young is to live honestly, eat slowly and lie

about your age.”

-- LUCILE BALL

“I think it’s wonderful you could all be here for the 43rd

anniversary of my 39th birthday. We decided not to light the candles

this year -- we were afraid Pan Am would mistake it for a runway.”

-- BOB HOPE

“I am in the prime of senility.”

-- JOEL CHANDLER HARRIS

“The hardest years in life are those between 10 and 70.”

-- HELEN HAYES

“My mother is going to have to stop lying about her age because

pretty soon I’m going to be older than she is.”

-- TRIPP EVANS

“Birthdays are when a man takes a day off and a woman takes a year

off.”

-- UNKNOWN

There were so many fun quotes about birthdays that I decided to

use a larger selection than normal. I thought about birthdays and

experienced one of my own in the month of October.

It seemed like October flew by more quickly this year than ever

before. I probably said that last year, and it’s likely I’ll say it

again, possibly every month. My father’s birthday was the day before

mine, and my mother’s was two days afterward. Many friends also

celebrated October birthdays.

I enjoyed my presents, but my favorite thing of all was the

presence of loved ones. Obviously I wasn’t physically present with

everyone I love, but I heard from many by phone, e-mails and cards. I

re-read or re-listened to many of those greetings and smiled when I

did so.

I was fortunate to gather with extended family and friends over a

busy weekend of celebrations. I ate delicious meals, sang wonderful

songs as part of an inspiring church service and much more. It was a

treat to spend time with our daughter Kelly and her husband, Ryan,

and I was thrilled that our daughter Amy and her fiance, Tyson, flew

down from Northern California to join in exciting events, too.

Some of the birthday cards had funny messages or clever captions.

Others had sweet quotes or thoughts, and I loved how the person’s

personality was reflected in what he or she chose.

One card’s greeting was: “It’s Your Birthday!” On the front was a

pastor who said, “The Lord never sends us more than we can bear.”

When you open the card, it says, “Though sometimes He sends us more

candles than we can blow out!”

Another card said, “Friends celebrate the things they have in

common and delight in the things that make them different.” My friend

wrote a thoughtful message inside.

My sister-in-law Kelly sent a very colorful birthday card. On the

front, there are 13 bright and whimsical coffee mugs. The message

inside is “Sending you birthday wishes via espresso mail.” I could

practically smell the coffee when I opened it.

If you think about it, countless people have birthdays every day

of every month of every year. More important than the birthday is the

fact that God offers unconditional love to each and every one of us.

I thank God for the treasured gift of each new day, and for the

gift of humor to enjoy each one. God can help make everyday as

special and significant as a birthday, no matter what our age.

And you can quote me on that.

* CINDY TRANE CHRISTESON is a Newport Beach resident who speaks

frequently to parenting groups. She may be reached via e-mail at

cindy@onthegrow.com or through the mail at 537 Newport Center Drive,

Suite 505, Newport Beach, CA 92660.