Life By The Slice, The column - observations on life, relationships and humanity - sometimes humorous, sometimes serious, always from the heart.

Previous Columns
Not-so-hot off the press!

All newspaper editors want to know what their readers like. If you would like to read this feature in your local newspaper, please do not hesitate to share your enthusiasm with your local newspaper editor.

RELEASED NOVEMBER 4, 2003

The Greatest Gift of All

There are three hundred and sixty-four days when you might get un-birthday presents ... and only one for birthday presents, you know.
~ Lewis Carroll

This weekend heralds my 40^th birthday. Usually, I'm pretty obnoxious about this time of year. Around the end of October begins my tirade of "It's my birthday month coming up, what are you going to get me for my birthday?" I regale those who know me with blatant hints to outright product descriptions with item numbers and an 800 number where it can be ordered.

I do it in the spirit of fun as it does only come around once a year, and according to one of my younger friends, the big four-oh only comes once. Thank goodness. She'll get hers later.

So, this year, I began the obnoxious routine then stopped after a few weeks. The reason? Because my dear (younger) friend is flying from Atlanta to throw a surprise party for me and it just doesn't feel right to be asking for gifts when my friends are going to go through all the trouble and fuss. It's killing me to keep my mouth shut, but I'm doing it. Even though I'd really, really like one of those handheld GPS devices. It's a Sportrax Magellan brand, $169.00, Best Buy, sale prices effective through Sunday, November 9, 2003, and it has an attractive bright yellow case and it's waterproof as an added feature.

My friends who live geographically close are in cohorts with the McDonough friend and they pretend not to know anything, but I almost tripped one of them up the other day. I asked, "Where are we going on the 8^th?" She started to answer then shot me a dirty look, so instead I told her about this Yankee candle I've been wanting. Eucalyptus, Housewarmer style, available at the factory store, Huntington Mall, $19.99 and I have a $10.00 off coupon for purchases of $25.00 or more.

I know you're probably wondering if it's a surprise party, why do I know about it? Well, first of all, the information was dropped to me with the hope that I'd quit the talking catalog routine and second, there is still the element of surprise in not knowing the location, the exact time and what's transpired beforehand. I think that's most of the fun. The planning, the secrets, and almost-lapses. The laughs and camaraderie of putting it all together without getting caught.

Now, when the surprise actually takes place, as the birthday surprisee, what do I do? Act surprised is the obvious first choice. Second is to stand back and appreciate the efforts and the fact that for one time in a long time, all my great friends are in the same room together.

For one evening (or afternoon? it is a surprise, you know) I get to see and be with the people who have touched my life in a way that means something important to me. Aside from family, I'm talking about friends, here.

I'm lucky to have friends who have gone against what I thought to be good for me and taken actions or positions to affect a different, eventually better, outcome. Friends who have told me how it is they see a situation and offer advice. Friends who have spoken of possibilities in my life that I might not necessarily see. Friends who have been there for me no matter what the circumstances. Friends who believe in me and my dreams.

Through it all, I've learned one thing. My friends love and care for me, which is the greatest gift of all.

And that can't be purchased anywhere, unlike a Mizerak Dynasty pool table, $199.99, Sears, includes billiard accessories and automatic ball return, online order #26041.