I have always been one to celebrate the good things in life, especially when it comes to my children. I don't need to have over the top Pinterest worthy celebrations with expensive decorations, hired talent, or custom cakes from elite bakeries but I do like to mark achievements and important milestones.
Whenever it is someone's birthday in my household, I stay up the night before until they go to bed—which as they have aged has gotten later and later (with the exception of my husband who now goes to bed earlier and earlier)— and I decorate the dining room with simple streamers and balloons from the dollar store. However, more important than the decorations is the coveted "White Family Birthday Poster." This is just a poster, again from the dollar store, that has handwritten birthday wishes on it - but not just your average, "Happy Birthday."
I brainstorm for days with other family members (who are not the birthday celebrant) for ideas regarding what to put on the poster. It has to make sense for the recipient, it cannot be generic! We have referenced song lyrics, popular memes, current cultural references, famous athletes, historical events, travel destinations, favorite products, etc.
When our Taylor Swift loving oldest daughter turned 22 it was pretty easy to come up with something. If your not a Swiftie, "I don't know about you but I'm feeling 22" is from one of her songs. It's super catchy and was appropriate, and when our Taylor Swift loving youngest daughter turned 13, Taylor's favorite number, it was again a no brainer. Sometimes it's harder to come up with something good, but we won't rest until we think of the perfect birthday wish.
I'm not an artist and so usually the posters are somewhat sloppy and are just written with Crayola marker or whatever Sharpie I found lying around. Sometimes, I go a little harder and print out an appropriate picture from the computer and glue it on. The artistic quality doesn't matter. That is not what makes the poster special.
Each birthday boy or girl wakes up on their birthday and rushes out to see what the poster says before they do anything else. Every family member also rushes out to see their reaction. It is the highlight of the day and has become more important than parties and gifts (which we also do). The poster makes the honoree feel loved and celebrated because it is always unique and personal.
We celebrate holidays, good grades, athletic and academic success, braces off, no cavity dentist reports, hard work, promotions, album releases, teacher work days, sunny weather, when our dog learns a new trick, and on and on in our house. We regularly dance to music, sing at the top of our lungs, and spend an inordinate amount of time doubled over laughing. Every celebration doesn't get a poster but good things are always recognized. We take notice of our blessings! We rally behind each other and celebrate as often as possible.
I am even more into celebrating since I had cancer. I now appreciate little and mundane things I used to take for granted. I celebrated when I was finally well enough to do laundry again—yes, you read that right, I said laundry! It was exciting to be allowed to lift the basket without restriction and I was reminded how wonderful it is to have a family to take care of! Life is short and tomorrow is never promised so we need to make the best of today!
If you read my book, The Matriarch, you know the Miller family likes to celebrate too with Driveway Dance Parties (this idea may have been borrowed from my real life)!
Today I encourage you to celebrate health, flowers blooming, birds singing, your kid remembering to brush their teeth without being told, a well made cup of coffee—whatever is good in your life!
Tell me fun ways you celebrate life in the comments below and if you need an idea to get started. . . make a birthday poster or have a Driveway Dance Party like Paul Miller!
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