Are You On the Calendar?

Anyone who has followed my columns over the years, knows that I come from a large family. Twelve children, two parents and assorted dogs, cats, rabbits and snakes were part of the household when I was growing up.

As the family grew with added sons- and daughters-in-law, my mother would add their names to various calendars she kept. She also had a notebook-style address book in which she kept not only names and phone numbers, but also the all-important birthdates. That included the birthdates for her bridge partners and fellow choir members, too.

I recall a church calendar hanging in the kitchen, sometimes posted on the pantry door or maybe tacked under the fuse box. The calendar not only told us the Holy Days of Obligation, but contained important birthdays, usually circled in crayon or pencil. 

I emphasized important birthdates because birthdays were and always have been a big deal to the Hamm clan. We didn't live a fancy lifestyle nor have lavish birthday parties. But our parents made sure that we felt special on the anniversary of our births. 

There might have been a few children's parties with balloons and our favorite flavor cake and ice cream. That and having our siblings crowd around to sing "Happy Birthday" was about as traditional as it got. We referred to the birthday song as our national anthem. 

At last count, the months of November and May appear to still carry the most birthdays. Let's just say birthday candles are a hot commodity in those months.

As we all grew older and grandchildren and great-grandchildren came onto the scene, keeping track of all the birthdays has become a full-time job. And the birthday parties have become just as important, if not more than ever, with the newest generations. 

I think our parents would be proud of how we have kept our beliefs in focus as we celebrate each new life. At last count, the family was nearing 60-plus. 

I appreciate all the hullabaloo around our country's 250th birthday this year. However, we never needed a date on the calendar to know how important birthdays are. 

So, happy birthday once again to the United States and to all of my faithful readers.

Heather Ziegler can be reached via email at hziegler@theinteligencer.net.