The Birthday Season

Photo by Shawn Lea

For me, the month of January is all about birthdays. This month is filled with the birthdays of loved ones. Almost every week contains at least two and there are several days where I have two or three birthdays that are cause for celebration.

As this is the case, this seems the perfect opportunity for me to discuss The Birthday Season. I do this as both a tribute to my friends AND as a public service . . . because I think the word needs to get out on this!

A decade or so ago, I decided that it is patently absurd to limit ourselves to ONE day of celebration where the birthday is concerned. Really people . . . ONE day?! It's not nearly enough. Too many people in our lives for ONE day to be adequate. Hence, IDW (that's In Deborah's World, for any novitiates), we observe the Birthday Season.

Consider: Christmas is one day and New Year's Day is one day, but we celebrate for very nearly a whole month!! (Hanukkah and Kwanza both last at least a full week anyway . . . but most folks who observe these throw themselves into the full month known as the Holiday Season, too.)

The Birthday Season does not go to such extremes. It lasts a more modest fortnight, traditionally beginning on the eve before one's actual birthday -- but it's a fairly young tradition as traditions go, so you can be flexible about this should occasion demand.

This two weeks is a time for personal reflection and renewal. It is also a time for celebration. It acknowledges that there are MANY important people in our lives and they cannot possibly ALL get together on the same day, year after year, to celebrate us properly. The Birthday Season makes it possible for them to celebrate with us on a day that works for them and also provides Quality Time with those special to us that a more traditional day-of party does not.

Further, the Birthday Season gives one time to arrange for a private celebration of self . . . like, you know, Spa Day or Fabulous New Shoe Day or something equally self-indulgent! (Guys, Fabulous New Shoe Day and Spa Day may not appeal to you, I know . . . just tweak it to fit ... with --I don't know? -- Filet Mignon and Merlot Followed by Great Sex Day . . . hmmm . . . come to think of it, that one would trump Spa Day for most of the ladies I know. But probably not REALLY Fabulous Shoe Day . . . I mean, like Christian Louboutin fabulous. DAMN! I LOVE his shoes! I . . . wait, what was I saying? Right. Birthday Season.) The point is, plan a day that includes a healthy dose of YOUR personal favorites!

I know a lot of grown-ups think birthdays are a little silly . . . that no one over the age of ten should celebrate them. In fact, there have been years when I have BEEN one of those grown-ups. But the truth is, the fact that we're on the planet at all defies the laws of probability and statistics. Yes, we take it for granted . . . but in truth, we really shouldn't. It's AMAZING that we make it here at all! And if we're lucky enough to be surrounded by people who love us and want to buy us drinks and dinner and shower us with gifts in recognition of how we brighten their lives? Well, we should relax into it and enjoy it!

So Happy Birthday Season to all the January Babies in my life!! I'm so happy to celebrate each and every one of you!