The Best Way to Say Happy Birthday

The shops that cater to greeting cards and gifts are plentiful. The racks are filled to overflowing with greetings that are even individually named, such as Uncle, Aunt, Friend, or Pastor. Some are set up for shock value or laughter. Cartoon characters are blown up by a cake full of candles, and age is brought up in a kind or not so kind manner.

Some cards that try to be different are usually melo- dramatic and get wishy-washy with their prose. The task is not easy to find the right words or card to ex- press your true feelings and how you wish to share in the celebration of this birthday. Everyone alive has a birthday. The main wish of the day is joy and fun. You want to convey that the person is the perfect age - and never to really consider growing older - just better. There should be gifts, and ribbons and cake. Many times there are candles, balloons and champagne. No one way to celebrate is right. Each birthday is a mile- stone. It is also a time of reflection - to stand back and realize that the sand hills retreated and the rivers rose. The barren earth was wilderness with time. Life can be compared to a cheap poem in a card when we think about the fear of facing another year - because we did not accomplish all we had set out to do but there is good news. Each year we are changed and molded by experience and co-incidence as well as maturity and worldly contact. So what is the best message to find in a birthday card? If you can find a suitable printed one - then by all means buy it. The best, however, is a blank one for you to add your wishes and your insight. The inscription should tell the person not to worry about the numbers because they tell others that you have come through - you have expanded your knowledge and you are a better person for it. Wishing light for the new paths that will be dis- covered as well as peace and joy are gifts that no money can buy. Friendship and thank you from the rest of the world for your being a part of it. A card filled with thanksgiving for the wonderful person it is intended for and hope that all of life will lead to a place of contentment and serenity, surrounded by fellow travelers with laughter, and yes, even balloons, gifts, ribbons, and champagne. Age is only a number, but life is for real. To everyone a very Happy Birthday, no matter the date. ©Arleen M. Kaptur July, 2007