I’m one of those people who likes to celebrate, no matter the occasion. I figure there are 365 days in a year, most of them repetitive and tedious, so why not make the most of those we can inflate into something more. When I first met my husband, he was one of those who didn’t understand the need to make more out of a birthday, a national holiday, or Halloween. He had grown up without Memorial Day picnics, Fourth of July parades, and Christmas magic. I on the other hand, lived near all of my relatives— which included seventeen cousins—whom I saw nearly every Sunday when we visited both sets of grandparents. Softball, volleyball, swimming, hide-n-seek, tag, parades, fireworks, and food were the looping playlist of my childhood. Every Sunday was a holiday, and every holiday was a party.
So when we had kids, even though we didn’t have big extended immediate families, I embraced my upbringing and we celebrated all the happy yearly events, complete with balloons, decorations, cake, presents, picnics, and love. But I’m still partial to birthdays. In keeping with my celebration theme, I never celebrate for just one day. The days surrounding my birthday also count.
To celebrate this birthday, I will randomly choose six lucky winners to receive one of my books—either paperback (only in the US) or ebook (Kindle, nook, or other e-book reader). You will be able to choose the book. Just email me (mimbalzano@aol.com) with the subject line Birthday Gift and I will enter your name. The drawing will take place on March 31st.
