From the middle of January until the end of May, our family has an almost continual birthday celebration.  Starting in the middle of January, there are three sisters-all within a week’s time and a niece at the end of the month.  February ushers in a sister, her husband, a great niece and a brother.  Then March arrives celebrating the youngest sister, a nephew and my husband who shares his day with a niece and a godchild.  April is just as busy: two nieces, a great nephew, a nephew-in-law and a granddaughter.

When I started to think about this topic, I thought that the bulk of the celebrations ended in April, then I realized that May is crowded, too.  I share my birthday with a great-niece, followed by two nephews and two great-nephews.  Well, it is a large family.  There are birthdays in every month of the year.  My sister Doris makes a delicious chocolate cake with a recipe passed down from my mother.  In the past, there had been several seasonal celebrations, now we are fortunate to have a summer party and the cake!

So, what is the point that I want to make?  These birthdays are important events!  They have an intrinsic value that bolsters each person’s psyche with well-wishes, cards, attention and comments.  Each person has a place in our hearts because they are family.  Family, that integral weave in the fabric of society; a crucial key to a secure and stable future.

However, the definition of family is often expanded to include those not related by blood.  Think about what it would mean if we considered ALL people to be our family.  If we valued and celebrated everyone’s birthday as a unique and special event, I know that would mean a lot of cake.  It would also mean a lot of love!

We are led by the example of our God who loves you and all His creations unconditionally. 

Terri