More Than One Way

When I was little, there was only one way to mark a day. A birthday was marked with a birthday cake. Not a birthday salad. Not even birthday candy. There was a cake and candles and usually a birthday party somewhere close to my birthday. And at that birthday party, there were games and goodie bags and… well… cake again.

The point is that when you’re little, traditions are set by the people delivering the traditions, and sometimes we think that is the “right” way or the only way to mark a day. I loved my childhood birthdays, but as an adult, we’re more likely to have birthday cookies and birthday reading time, which fit me better than a birthday party. The way we mark events can change. We make days how we need them to be.

If this day is easy or hard for you; if it’s something you’ve been dreading or looking forward to; if you’re looking at the screen and thinking, “What is she talking about? I don’t know what is  happening today” — it’s all okay. You get to choose the traditions.

I’m marking the day by reading about art thieves (as one does) and seeing my mum. Because that makes me happy.