I generally take my birthday off from work each year, and today is no exception. Likewise, the blog, especially THIS birthday. I was born in the Chinese Year of the Snake, and arithmetically, it is the Year of the Snake for the sixth time in my life; I’m going to slither off now.
I have, in the past, and will again this year, quote a section from one of my favorite books, Here and Now: Living in the Spirit by Henri J.M. Nouwen, a Canadian theologian who died in 1996.(Copyright 1994, published by The Crossroad Publishing Company.)
I share this passage about birthdays, not only for my sake but, I hope, for yours as well:
Birthdays need to be celebrated. I think it is more important to celebrate a birthday than a successful exam, a promotion, or a victory. Because to celebrate a birthday means to say to someone: “Thank you for being you.” Celebrating a birthday is exalting life and being glad for it. On a birthday we do not say: “Thanks for what you did, or said, or accomplished.” No, we say: “Thank you for being born and being among us.”
…
Celebrating a birthday reminds us of the goodness of life, and in this spirit we really need to celebrate people’s birthdays every day, by showing gratitude, kindness, forgiveness, gentleness, and affection. These are ways of saying: “It’s good that you are alive; it’s good that you are walking with me on this earth. Let’s be glad and rejoice. This is the day that God has made for us to be and to be together.”
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Oh, what the heck: Birthday – the Beatles.
Happy 8th anniversary, Rico and niece Rebecca!
Photo taken by Ray Henrikson on February 1, 2013, at First Presbyterian Church, Albany, NY, and used by permission.
Happy Birthday to one of the nicest guys I’ve never met!
Happy birthday, Roger. Hope you enjoy your day off!
Happy Birthday, Roger. Hope you enjoy the celebration.
Happy birthday, young man!
Many happy returns from a fellow snake!
Happy birthday!
A very happy birthday Roger ! That’s a round number ! Welcome to the 60th club ! I am only in there for some months and then I will join the 70th ! also a round number !
Happy birthday!
Happy birthday!
A most happy Orbit of the Sun, olde phellow!! Or should I just say, mature and filled with wise-dumb and a Treasure of Trivia! And a marvelous family-guy besides!
Happy Birthday, Roger!
Happy Birthday, my friend! Have a Yuengling and some Charles Chips, a pop a spiedie on the grill, right?
I’m catching up to you, man; 56 and born in ’56. Weird, huh?
Henri Nouwen is a favorite source of Lex’s for his sermons, along with Jim Wallis and a host of other contemporary theologians. Nouwen is wonderful because he comments on all aspects of life. Reading him brings me peace.
So glad we are friends! Birthday hugs from Amy (to be administered by your wife, of course!)
Happy Belated Birthday!