Birthday Bash by Pat Simmons

How do you celebrate your birthdays--big or subtle?

I like to think of creative ways to make the day memorable. For example, for my daughter's 21st birthday, money was tight, so I asked twenty-one of her friends--young and old--from across the country to call her at a designated time and say, "Hi Simi, I'm Carol, and I'm number six to wish you happy birthday." After each call, she would have to wonder who would call next. "Hey, birthday girl, I'm Eric, number seven..."

It was so much fun hearing her phone ring and watching the schedule.  That was better than a birthday party. 

Years ago, when I hit the big 6-0, I didn't want a party--planned or surprise. I wanted for 60 friends who had touched my life over the years to celebrate with me. In lieu of a gift, they would buy their own dinner at a restaurant we choose.

To this day, that was the best birthday gift ever! Karen was my first childhood friend because our families were friends before we were born. Annette and I became friends in kindergarten. Of course, my stylist was there. Alica had become more like a sister over the thirty years of our friendship. Then there was my teenage party girl, Cookie, who showed up. Can't forget the wonderful ladies I worked at the television station for ten years of my life. They helped my transition from the assignment desk editor to a news writer.

As you can imagine, every guest had a special place in my heart--new and old. My mom, sister and brother-in-law (who passed two years earlier), and brother, who was usually a no-show, came. My heart was full as my in-laws, son, and daughter... making it the best birthday bash ever!

Church folks were on the invite list too. Evelyn--a newer friend-- helped plan the dinner. Finally, Elder Becton, an assistant pastor,  gave the blessings over my life.

It was amazing.

So what do I have planned four years later next month? Somethng low key. Every Friday on Facebook and Youtube, I do a live  show called Fun Friday with another author, Vanessa Riley, and Angela Anderson, an influencer. I'm sure we'll have a good time on my birthday. My sister will join me with the big reveal of my birthday gift on Fun Friday, which we already know what it is...a new kindle. LOL. Birthdays are meant to celebrate life. Every year is a blessing because, since that 60th party, two close family members have passed away. Every day is a gift and I don't plan to waste it. What are some of your best birthday memories?

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Pat Simmons is a multi-published Christian romance author of forty-plus titles. She is a self-proclaimed genealogy sleuth passionate about researching her ancestors, then casting them in starring roles in her novels. She is a five-time recipient of the RSJ Emma Rodgers Award for Best Inspirational Romance and recipient of the 2022 Leslie Esdaile Trailblazer Award. Christmas Dinner was also an Emma Award winner for Book of the Year. Christmas Dinner and Here for You were featured in Woman’s World Magazine.

As a Christian, Pat describes the evidence of the gift of the Holy Ghost as a life-altering experience. She has converted her sofa-strapped sports fanatical husband into an amateur travel agent, untrained bodyguard, and GPS-guided chauffeur. They have a son and a daughter. Pat holds a B.S. in mass communications from Emerson College in Boston, Massachusetts, and has worked in radio, television, and print media for more than twenty years. Visit her at www.patsimmons.net.