During my childhood,birthdays were a reason to celebrate at my house. There was one ritual that always occurred. We bought a cake, gathered around our worn cherry dining table and sang “Happy Birthday” in our best choir voices. We took turns feeding the birthday star.
Today that celebration is only a memory. It is my father’s birthday today. I find myself not knowing what to do or how to honor his birthday. Do I revisit past celebrations? Or do I follow my daughter’s advice, “Hold up the cake into the sky and Grandpa will eat it.” There is really no correct answer to my question. I miss my father terribly and just want someway for him to know that we are thinking of him during his birthday.
So here’s my wish. I can’t celebrate my father’s birthday with him, but I would like all of you to honor all of the loved ones in your life. Hug them. Tell them I love you. Make that phone call to an old friend. Eat cake and really savor the taste.
And for all you daughters with Daddy’s in your life, hug your Dad for me. Let him know that you love him. Celebrate that he is in your life.
Happy Birthday Dad! Much love to you. From a daughter who wishes she could celebrate your birthday, old-fashioned style.
Image by comedy_nose
Welcome! I am a lawyer turned freelance writer, essayist, and editor. On staff at Literary Mama and the co-founder and co-editor of the literary journal, The Sunlight Press, my essays and reported work have appeared in The Washington Post, The Lily, Saveur, Civil Eats, Brain, Child, ESPN and elsewhere. I am currently at work on a memoir on grief and culture and how it provides perspective on life’s ordinary graces. I invite you to appreciate the ordinary with me. I hope my daily practice of seeing the magic in the mundane helps you celebrate and find more of these moments in your life too.
I hope all your beautiful memories of him will help you through today.
The memories did help. Thank you for thinking of me and my Dad on this day. xoxo
Birthdays and anniversaries can be very hard when we’ve lost loved ones. Wishing you a quiet day filled with the pleasures of your father’s legacy – your family who remains with you, and your wonderful daughter.
Thanks for your wishes Wolf. I appreciate them so very much. More than you will know. xoxo
Hugs, hugs, and more hugs to you. xoxo
July 28th is my mom’s birthday. We made a toast in her honor. I love what your daughter said, so sweet. I hope they were celebrating up in heaven. Xo
I find that when I’m conscious or present I’m more likely to see a gift instead of something irritating, like you said with your daughter’s questions. When I’m stuck in my head, I miss the little gifts I’m given. It’s a choice to see life this way!