Ho, Ho, Ho... Happy Birthday!

This is for anyone that has to squeeze in a birthday between December 15 and January 15. You get short changed and I empathize with you.  When the rest of the world is well in the midst of over eating, over retailing and over indulgence, they sometimes tend to forget your special day.  It isn’t fair, you couldn’t help you were born during this particular segment of the calendar.  I mean, really, if you had your druthers, and knew then what you know now, August looks really good… or you may have requested waiting to arrive until May.  Anytime well past (or before) holiday giving would work when the focus is solely on you, gifts are not grouped together, parties are planned out events with your friends and not “worked around” Chanukah, Christmas or New Year’s and celebrated solely with reindeer and elves, and most importantly, you get the birthday cake you want.

Because the rest of humanity who partakes in the anniversary of their birth during the other eleven months of the year just wouldn’t know the burden of “our little tax break”, they must be enlightened.  I think it personally had to do with a cold spell in March and not Uncle Sam, but I could be wrong.  If one should – accidentally or predestined – succumb to unrestrained, unbridled passion, one needs to take time to gander at the calendar, do a quick calculation and proceed with caution of the potential historic significance they are setting forth for those who may follow (pretty heavy stuff, huh?  Puts a different light on things, doesn’t it? Almost makes you want to wait until June… okay, maybe not).

Another thing to keep in mind is that we are dealing with Sagittarius and Capricorn types during this one-month span.  They are a steadfast, relentless group that possess strong character.  These folks know what they want and use what they have to get it.  Try forgetting their birthday and live with the knowledge that these people have a memory. I don’t think I am up for that task.

Having grown up with my Dad’s birthday falling into this black zone, I was taught at an early age that when you separate and observe each entity to the fullest, it makes for a prolonged and much more jovial time, for everyone.  With the official start of the season being kicked off by the festivities celebrating his birthday, my Mom did a heck of a job making sure his birthday wouldn’t get lost in the shuffle.  Which, I would not have fully appreciated unless I, too, was blessed (well, what else am I going to say?) with the opportunity of my own angel baby.

Why is it you fall in love then find out the details?  Let’s just say my brain, at the time, wasn’t in control of “the situation”.  When I snapped out of it, and realized that the object of my affection’s birthday was smack dab in the middle of the holiday season, I had a choice: dump him for a hot and steamy summertime birthday boy or pull upon my vast reservoir of experience to help make his birthday memorable.  Tough decision, I opted for #2… although that #1 looked pretty good at the time.

The rest is history.  I think my proverbial snuggle muffin and love machine (one in the same) knows his birthday is special.  He gets the cake he desires, birthday presents are separate and equal to any close proximity holiday gift giving, friends are gathered and glasses are raised to his health and happiness.  Sounds like a fitting tribute to another well-earned year. Happy Birthday!

Cynthia A. McClelland, curious observer of the obvious with interpretations of the oddities of daily life.  Mother, wife and lover of the furry, resides in the north Lake Tahoe area.                      

Cynthia A. McClelland © 2003-