by Wendy Brooks

Created on: March 06, 2009

Birthdays are always a fun time for kids as it's that one time of the year, besides Christmas, when they get presents from family and friends. As we get older, however, another birthday means another year older and we tend not to look forward to them as much. Most people accept the fact that they're getting older and aren't bothered by another birthday, whether they are 40 years old or 60 years old. There are some, though, that are very sensitive about their age and don't like to be reminded that they are getting older. For these people, it wouldn't be a good idea to give a gift that made fun of their age.

My family is always joking around with each other and birthdays are no exception to this. For my mother's 60th birthday, we all took her to a very nice restaurant. My sister and I had purchased helium balloons to tie on her chair. One of the balloons read "Happy 100th Birthday". When my mother arrived and came to the table, we all yelled "Happy 100th Birthday" and told her she looked good for her age. Everyone in the restaurant was looking at her and laughing. My mother thought it was the greatest thing and had a good laugh with us. Another time for my father's birthday, we loaded the cake with as many candles as we could fit on it. We lit the candles, sang Happy Birthday and told him to hurry up and blow them out before the fire department came. Since my family members aren't concerned about their ages, it's okay to play these kinds of jokes on them. Others, however, wouldn't think it was funny at all.

I don't think it's wrong to give a birthday gift to a person that makes fun of their age as long as you know that person is okay with it and will see it as a joke. Birthdays are a time to celebrate a person's birth and sometimes with the presents and the cake also comes a little bit of ribbing about their age. Most are okay with it but for those who aren't, we have to respect their feelings and give the appropriate gift that's right for them.

Age is a big issue for a lot of people. Some hate the thought of getting old - it even scares some people. Others are concerned about their looks as they get older. They don't want the wrinkles or the grey hair or the sagging body. In all honesty, I think we all feel that way. However, getting older is a fact of life that we cannot change and it's something we all have to accept. In my opinion, age is just a number. I've seen a lot of seniors who have as much energy or more as people much younger than they are. I have to admit that I don't like the thoughts of my birthday coming around each year, especially since I'm constantly reminded by my daughter that I will be 50 in a couple of years. But, those birthdays still keep coming and there's nothing I can do about it. So instead of worrying about it, I accept it along with the presents and the age jokes that go along with it. Did I mention presents..............?

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