When it comes to celebrating birthdays, I’m fairly pitiful. I always think about my four beloved nephews on their special days, but if I actually remembered to send them a gift in time they’d probably lose a year of their lives in shock. Bless their hearts.
But now my friend Janice has written a book that may help with all that. It’s called Every Birthday is a Special Occasion and it’s a fabulous little volume. Not only is it lovely—beautiful photos and drawings decorate its pages—it’s a fascinating look at the customs and celebrations of birthdays.
My favorite story in the book, hands down, is the tale of Janice’s sister. All alone in a foreign land on her birthday, God unexpectedly provided her favorite, odd-flavored birthday cake—baked by a woman who’d never made it before with no idea why she felt compelled to try a new recipe when her house was already full of leftover Christmas goodies. So sweet! Honestly, that story makes me tear up a little every time I read it.
The recipe for that cake is in the book, along with birthday traditions from around the world, a birthday liturgy, official birthstones and flowers, and more. There’s even a place in the back to note the birthdays you want to remember. (Let’s see: Brian’s is 9/6, Austin’s 11/15, Joshua’s 12/27, Bradley’s . . . shoot. It’s in February. Clearly I need this book.)
Every Birthday is a Special Occasion makes a great gift, too. At 43 pages it’s more than a card, but would still work nicely along with a bouquet of flowers (or cookies) or even by itself. There’s a great dedication page with spaces to write thoughts like “I remember when…” and “Today, I wish for you…” So the next time a birthday comes along and you need a little something to mark that special day, consider my friend Janice’s book. After all, Every Birthday is a Special Occasion.
Every Birthday is a Special Occasion by Janice Byrd. I got my copy as a gift but you can buy one here.
