Another year older.

    So many of my friends hate their birthdays but I really can't figure our why.  What's not to love about friends and family wishing you well?  Who doesn't want cake, balloons and other party-type frivolities?  I, for one, love birthdays....especially mine! 
    One of my favorite birthday traditions started back in my elementary school days.  I am still not sure if this qualifies my parents as "super awesome" or "super insane" but every year I was allowed to invite as many friends as I wanted to my party.  We would sit up, all night long, watching horror movies while stuffing our faces with junk food and cake.  For this one crazy night of the year, both of my brothers either spent the night elsewhere or my parents forced them to remain in their bedroom.  As a kid, I thought it was so cool that my parents would hide upstairs too.  Now that I am older and wiser, I know they were hiding to preserve their own sanity, not to be "cool".  Never once did they come downstairs and tell us to "be quiet" or "go to bed" even though I am positive we made enough noise to wake the dead.
    Eventually, those parties were replaced with bar hopping or dinners in nice restaurants but I have to admit, I miss those childhood birthdays.  To honor that tradition, I think I'm going to break out some classic horror films and have a mini-marathon.  I even have cake, thanks to my very thoughtful and supportive spouse!
     I may be older, and I sure hope I'm wiser but there is still a small part of me that hopes, if I don't tell anyone my wish, then maybe, just maybe, after I blow out the candles it will come true.  You're welcome to guess what I'm wishing for but I'll never tell!!