Image courtesy of Cake Designs
It’s My Birthday, So What?*
Should I celebrate my own birth? Merely soliciting “Congrats!” responses seems rather pointless. And as an essayist, I always want to have a point. But then, even as I type this, I realize I do have a point. It’s the very question I just posed.
Sure, my knee-jerk response (despite the fact that I’m inherently self-absorbed) is, “No, too self-absorbed!” But, upon reflection, this may be the one occasion it’s actually appropriate for me to celebrate myself. Yes, there are things I need to fix about myself–a lot of things (you see how self-absorbed I am?). And yet, despite all these things, I’m glad I was born.
Why?
Because I love existing, and I wouldn’t want it any other way. Literally, since, if I didn’t exist, there would be no “I” to want it any other way. But as I do, I love having constant opportunities to grow. And most of all, I love being able to love. Others, that is, even if I am sometimes rather bad at it, and, yes, even myself. But most of all, I love existing so I can love my Creator.
Therefore, thank you, God, for giving me so many things to do and things to learn and things to love. And, today at least, thank you for the one thing that makes doing all these other things possible. Thank you for, you know…me.
*P.S. My actual birthday was May 12th, two days ago.
Happy Belated Birthday!
Thank you, CJ!
A very joyous belated celebration of your natal anniversary, Mitch!!
I love your blog and your very real witness of Christian living. Cathy Casale Rennie, LMHS ‘68
Cathy, what a delight to hear from you! A thank you, forever-friend. 🧡
Happy belated Mitch
Thanks, Matt!
Happy belated birthday.
Thank you, Liz.
Happy belated, but I have to admit I don’t like my birthdays. I never really have but now I’m older I definitely don’t. My wife thinks I’m grumpy 😂
;>)
Happy Birthday 🎂🎉🎈
Thank you, Eileen!
In ancient times, they didn’t celebrate birthdays. With Christians, it started around the year 300. They only celebrated the high points in someone’s life. I know you’ve had a lot of high points, but I think doing your Cary Grant impersonation with Carrie Grant in the audience should at least get some honorable mention. Well, happy birthday anyway.
;>) Thanks, Don!
Happy Birthday
Thank you, L.G.
I’m glad you exist, too, my friend! Happy (late) birthday!
Aw, thanks, Tracy!
Great birthday soliloquy! Have a happy week as you bless many.
Aw, thank you, Teresa!
Happy Belated Birthday.🎉🎂🎂
Thank you, Shweta!
Your birth-day is a gift from God so it absolutely needs to be celebrated 🎁🎉
Happy birthday Mitch🎈
Thank you, Cilla! 🧡
happy belated birthday, Mitch…🎉
Thank you, Destiny!
pleasure…🤍
Happy Belated Birthday🎈🎉🎈
Thank you, Luisa!
🙏🌹🙏
You were born at such a very early age.
Congratulations to your mother for pulling off such a well executed nine month endeavor.
I don’t remember them very well, Mark. Nevertheless, as you say, those nine months helped pave the way for all that followed!
A Belated Happy Birthday!
Thank you, Sandy!
Happy Birthday, Mitch, two days ago and in the new year of your life! I think it’s appropriate to remember the day yourself as well as enjoying others recognizing you. At least, I do this, which might mean I’m recommending a bad habit. (Don’t think so.)
;>) Thanks, Christopher!
Woot! Woot! Happy Belated Birthday, Mitch! I’m glad you exist! 🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾
Aw, thank you, and likewise, trE!
You’re most welcome! Thank you!
I already did the birthday greeting, but have another happy comment. This is a really neat post. I wish I had had it on my 80th, a couple of months ago. ❤️🙏
🧡
Happy belated birthday!! Praying many blessings over your year!
Thank you, Kelli!
Happy Birthday Mitch! Mike
Thanks, Mike!
Bon anniversaire, Mitch (in french…) !
Merci! (May I ask your name?)
As Mike Tyson once famously said:
“Happy Birthday, you thexthy beath”
;>)
Your worth and value comes from God,
He flows through you
And blesses us through your amazing gifts.
Your life and birth is worth celebrating
It is exciting to be alive and part of His plan.
May happiness and joy overflow
Throughout your year.
Aw, bless you too, Morag. And, yes, it is exciting to be alive and be part of God’s plan.
Belated Happy Birthday!
Thank you, Emma!
Happy belated birthday!!
Thank you!!
Happy Belated Birthday Mitch!
Thanks, old buddy!
Happy belated birthday, Mitch. I look forward to another year of accumulated wisdom you’ll share on your blog. May you be blessed with good health, happiness, and the joy of having Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. 🥳🎈🎁🎊 ✝️
Likewise, dear friend.🧡
Amen, and here’s wishing you a terrific new year of life and learning and loving. 💛
Thank you, Carol.🧡
Happy belated birthday, Mitch.
Thank you, Chanel.
I’m thankful you were born, Mitch. I’m glad I was born so I could birth an actual son and six books, the last of which had its book birthday yesterday (weight 4.14 oz., length 9 inches, author doing well). . .
Aw, happy bookmomhood, Joy. I’m glad you and your son and your six books were born too!
I hope you had a nice celebration. Happy belated birthday! I have struggled with this question myself but the older I get the more I realize each day is a gift so why not celebrate. I’ll turn 70 later this month, and though I’m not wild about that number, I know it’s a blessing.
It is indeed, Bonnie, and so are all the numbers that will come after it.
Happy Bday Mitch, you are greatly loved.
Aw, bless you, Pamela❣
In our house, we say “Every birthday deserves hooplah!”, meaning we celebrate regardless.
;>)
Happy Birthday, Mitch! My husband’s birthday is also May 12.
Who knew? Thanks, Liz!
You’re welcome, Mitch!
Most of us cannot imagine not being here, so yes celebrate our birthdays and thank our parents. Of course the world would not miss us if we were not here, because the world would not know what it was missing!
Exactly, Janet!
A witty and self-reflective opening—lightly humorous while questioning the social rituals of celebration and attention around birthdays. 🎂✨
Thank you, Safia.
Happy Birthday, Mitch!
Thank you, Mags!
Happy birthday🍰🥂💛
Thank you, Volcano! (I’m afraid I don’t know your name.)
Ana🙃
Happy to meet you, Ana!
Happy belated Birthday, Mitch! 🤓🥂
Thank you, Gia!
super mario breaks bricks
Happy belated birthday!!🎂
Thank you, Rojie❣
You are part of the great group of men and women through history with May birthdays (including me….) HB – Dirt
May-ers rock! ;>) Thanks, Dirt.
Happy Birth Wishes 🙏🏽
Thank you, Quantez!
A very happy belated birthday, Mitch. 🎉
Thank you, Eugi!
You’re welcome, Mitch.
Mitch! I have hung around here long enough to see you are more Jesus-focused than self-absorbed. If, as the scripture attests, we are a new creation in him, there is plenty celebrate about His Spirit indwelling by grace and in faith! Anyway, Happy Birthday!
Thanks, old friend!
Happy belated birthday to a fellow taurus Mitch, mine was on the 1st. I hope you had a pamper!
Thank you, Renate, and likewise!
Of course you should celebrate you, Mitch! Belated Happy Birthday! 🎂
Thanks, Terry!
Happy Belated Birthday, Mitch. Great post.
Why, thank you, Mitzy.
Happy Belated Birthday, Mitch.
Mel Robbins, author of The Let Them Theory, mentioned the statistics of being born exactly when you were born to the parents you have in a TED talk called How to Stop Screwing Yourself Over (which is great to watch), and after hearing it, you really can’t believe you weren’t born for a reason.
I truly believe that, Andrew. Jeremiah 1:5
Thanks for sharing the Biblical quote.
Happy Birthday! The world is a better place with you in it.
Aw, that’s kind of you to say, Susanne.
Happy Blessed Birthday 🎂 🥳 🎉 🎈 🎁 🎊
Thank you, Joannie!
I hope your birthday was greatly blessed, Mitch. But whoa, that was some serious navel-gazing – like, supernal, interdimensional navel-gazing. I believe you came to the right conclusion, though! Father chose that specific date for you to enter this life. It’s got to be important. I have friends who frown on birthday celebrations because they say the only two birthday “parties” in scripture were pagan debaucheries that brought about death. But I always wonder how did Methusaleh know he was 969 years old if he did not mark it in some way every year?
;>)
If you cannot celebrate your own entrance onto this wonderful stage, then who else will applaud your first soliloquy?
Shades of the Bard himself, Russell!
Happy, BLESSED, belated Birthday to you!! Praying this year coming up is filled with joy, adventure, and even more revelation knowledge from your Father! We are certainly grateful for the gift of YOU!
P
Aw, thank you, Peach❣
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on your birthday.
Happy Birthday to you. Best Wishes.
Thank you, Chitrangada.
Happy Birthday! Fearfully and wonderfully made…
Thank you, Kimberly!
Happy Belated Birthday, Mitch!
Thank you, Andi!
Belated happy birthday. I’m glad you exist.
Why, thank you, Jeff. ;>)
Awesome! Happy belated birthday 🎂🥳
Thanks, Pete!
Happy birthday, Mitch. I hope you had a wonderful birthday with your family. 🎉
I did, thank you, Iman!
Happiest of birthdays, Mitch! 🎂
Thanks, Ab!
Happy belated birthday, Mitch.
Thank you, Donna.
Ooh I am so late. Belated birthday wishes. I trust it was a roaring day 😁
Yes, I had a wonderful evening out with my wife. Thank you, Iba.
Happy Birthday Mitch 🙂 💚🌸
Thank you, mystery friend.
“The day of death is better than the day of birth.”
Ecclesiastes 7:1
it is not the quotation of the scripture verse but the primary significance or meaning and intent of the spirit of it that matters or outweighs all. For the letter kills…
To quote Mark Twain
on his wife’s birthday:
“Happy birthday.”
Such a clever man.
Happy very belated birthday, Mitch! You know your Creator is celebrating your birthday with you! 😊
Thanks, Peggy❣
Well, you can see how far behind I get in emails! Happy belated birthday Mitch! I hope you’re still celebrating!
Always. ;>)
I set my alarm clock the night before I was to turn 50, so I could watch the sunrise and consequently jot down some thoughts. Such a satisfying moment, both of reflection on my past (how even the most simple of changes in any moment would’ve affected me up till then)… and also my unknown future– which is Now. Happy belated birthday, Mitch.
Art
Thank you, Art!