Birthdays

While I was napping this afternoon, my sister left a message and said, "Oh, and I'm sure you remembered, but today is Chris' 30th birthday." Chris is my brother, and no, of course I didn't remember. Because really, I'm normally very bad with birthdays. I usually don't even remember and when I do, a simple "Happy Birthday" or a little card seems sufficient. Unless it's your brother and he's turning 30.

Immediately I called my sister and her husband, Tim, and left a message on their machine: "Help! Can I go in on a gift with you? I can't believe it's Chris' birthday," etc., etc.

Then I called my mother. I told her of the dilemna and then she said, "Did you remember that Chris and Tim have the same birthday?" I couldn't believe it. I had just left a message on Tim's answering machine about Chris' birthday, so it's now obviously clear that I also forgot about his. Jen, Chris' wife's, is on Monday, so so far I'm not behind on that one. Thank goodness.

Now I have to figure out what I'm doing for Chris' birthday. As for the in-laws, a call just must be enough. I called Joy at work at Pottery Barn and told her to buy them something. I think in marriage when we divvy up jobs, I'll pay the bills and she'll be in charge of all anniversaries and birthdays because I can never get it right.

In Nepal they don't celebrate birthdays. You mention birthdays to them and they really don't know what you're talking about. Amazing. I knew I loved that country.