Birthday Wishes
Today is my birthday.
I’ve gotten used to having a birthday the day before Christmas. In fact, I rather enjoy it. But one thing that’s always been something of a drag is how cut-off from my friends I generally feel. I’ve never had a birthday party with friends on my actual birthday. My family has always been good about giving me a good birthday celebration, but because of the holidays, I’ve never gotten to have my friends around me on my birthday. It’s always made me feel a little lonely, no matter how good a time I was having with my family.
I didn’t feel lonely today. I still didn’t get to have any friends hang out with me, but I got very nice birthday wishes today from people on Twitter, Facebook, Livejournal, and through email. The social web has made me feel as if I was surrounded by friends, old and new, even if they weren’t in the same room with me.
Are our libraries making people feel connected, even when we’re closed? At 3 a.m., on Christmas day, on Easter Sunday, are we connecting people with information and with other people?
Thanks to everyone who sent me good wishes today. You’ve brought a smile to my face and warmth to my heart. And in 2008, let’s see if we can’t bring more smiles and warmth to our patrons and to each other, especially at times when people can be at their loneliest.
Happy Birthday again (notice I’m not singing!). At the library I have always maintained that for some of our patrons we may be the only human contact they have that day. Be nice and listen.
Happy belated birthday! I hope your family had a great Christmas too. See you at work.
Belated Happy Birthday. I suspect my grandfather was like you because his birthday was today, Boxing Day, the day after Christmas.
Here is a party suggestion: Why don’t you celebrate your “half-birthday.” I have a friend whose birthday is April 14 (as an adult that is the day before taxes are due), so I have taken to giving her “half-birthday” celebrations.
Darlene, Scott, Michael–thanks!
Michael, that’s actually been suggested before, but I always thought it would be cheating. Plus, my wife’s birthday is 6 months away from mine, and I don’t want to try to steal her thunder.
Dude we share the thunder – mi trueno es su trueno. That’s part of the contract.
And I got high-and-mighty praise for mah rad cookin’.
I know what you mean, I was born on Christmas day. As a kid we did the half birthday thing, but that was never right either. I did go to the movie theater this year, at least they are open on my birthday. Best wishes.
And here Little Blue’s birthday is the 2nd, and we’ve already got a rule that no Christmas goodies can be up in the house till after his birthday.
Course, I’m also the guy who had his 21st birthday at a Daytona 500 party…go figure.