How important are birthdays to you?

I grew up in a home where we did not make a real big deal out of birthdays. I have some vague memories of my third birthday, but clear memories of my seventh birthday. We took a trip to Moundville, and I remember climbing on those mounds, seeing the burial sites, and enjoying a picnic there. I remember the Bible my Aunt Mary gave to me, a red-letter KJV with a zipper. I still have it. I also have memories of an earlier birthday party for my brothers who were twins, and the little boy who wanted to take the presents he brought home with him. Then there was the special surprise party given by a girlfriend and the guys who totally misled me about the event, telling me we were going to play putt-putt, but first they had to stop by Jana's to get some record albums(the CD's of our era). When the two guys went in, Don and I remained in the car. After several minutes, he said he thougth we should go in. I agreed. Little did I know that all those people were there for me! While I was in seminary, surprise parties were the going thing, and Helen surprised me and sent me off to the library to study for a while. I remember walking up the sidewalk and seeing a car that looked like one that a friend drove. Still, I was too dense to recognize what was happening. I tried to reciprocate the next year and took Helen to Lexington to get her out of the apartment while friends decorated. The problem was we got through early and I tried every delay tactic possible. We still arrived 15 minutes early. Feigning a rush to the bathroom, I managed to get in the apartment to get everyone to be ready for her entrance. IT worked. She was surprised.

Other than these, birthdays haven't been that big of a deal. I remember my 40th because I had to preach that day and was in the process of relocating to Troy.
I thought that was old, then, but little did I realize the real truth.
Forty is YOUNG!!!

This is birthday week for a special lady in my life.
I won't dare say how old, but not very old. Happy Birthday, Helen!!!!