My b-day party this year

[Tattoo Bradley]

[Iain Robb]

I really am sorry that you had a lousy time on your birthday. Regardless of why you had a lousy time, it sticks to not have a good time on your birthday.

Since my birthday is on a major holiday, I have had my share of disappointment as well. People always treated my birthday as an afterthought. I have never had a birthday party, nor have I ever gone out on my birthday, or for my birthday. Too many other things going on. My sisters all got to choose their birthday meals. I never did, because we had to have a special holiday meal. I could go on ...

But that's not to say I have a lousy time. I have a great time around my birthday, for two reasons:

1) I count my blessings. I choose to focus on the "have" rather than the "have not." Heck, there's always more we could have, but I for one am doing just fine, thanks -- I have friends and family, I have clothes, I have a place to live, etc.

2) I keep my expectations low. If you understand that no one else is obligated to view your birthday as important -- and they really aren't -- then it's really special when anyone does anything.

Please understand that I am not chastising you -- I am truly sorry you had a bad time, and I can sympathize. I just hope I can help make future birthdays better for you.