Growing up, my father and sister celebrated birthdays that were one day apart.  Every year, my dad would make a special cake.  The ingredients included yellow cake mix, apricot preserves and  Cointreau, with real whipped cream as the icing.  It was scrumptious! This was my family’s birthday tradition.  (I don’t remember any special treats for my birthday or mom’s.  What was up with that?)

On November 9th, 2000, my husband celebrated his 50th birthday.  He had been battling cancer for over two years, and was pretty much confined to bed.  I wanted to do something unique and special to honor his day.  He owned a huge CD collection, which included many artists from the 50’s and 60’s.  Suddenly, I remembered The Beatles song, “Birthday” (sing along, you know the words,  “They say it’s your birthday.”)

I secretly loaded the CD into the CD player, which was located just outside the master bedroom.  I turned the volume up real loud and hit PLAY!  My husband smiled as my son and I sang and danced to the music.  A family tradition was born.

We play this famous Beatles song first thing on each family member’s big day (the dog is included, too).  We have even played it on November 9th, despite the fact that my husband is no longer here on earth.  I know that he can see us singing and dancing in his honor.