A gift of a birthday
We recently held a birthday party for my youngest son and he had a great time. He and his friends played laser tag, opened gifts, and went crazy with the cake. Then we went home and starting packing boxes and setting aside toys that were a few years old that we are now giving away.
It led us to this thought: on this special day in which we celebrate the life of this boy who is growing up to be a young man that contributes to society, we make it a party that completely revolves around him and getting more.
It reminded us of a friend in Abilene, TX, who does birthdays differently for her boys. For their special day, they pick a cause or a charity. The kids who attend bring gifts for that cause, and her boys get to take those gifts, which will be used to serve others, to the charity. On their special day, they receive the gift of serving others, something that they can treasure and use for a lifetime.
I rebelled at the time against the idea. I wanted my kids to get new stuff. And if I look deep enough, it’s because I believed that getting was more valuable than giving. And it being a special day makes the life lesson that more memorable. What do I do on special days? I want more stuff.
It doesn’t have to be all about the serve – the day should be a fun one for my kids where they get some of the attention. I’m certain that we can re-find our imagination to make it a celebration for everyone.
My birthday is next. I’m going to try and throw a party that shows how much I have been given over my years by giving back.
That’s a really good idea. Will try it at my next birthday party. For the past couple of years, Shayna and I have just told people not to bring gifts. But I like the idea of giving gifts for charity more.