Throughout childhood we become conditioned to celebrate the passage of another year and wish people a happy birthday. A quick perusal of the Internet credits the Egyptians with the origin of the practice apparently in reference to a Pharaoh’s birthday. As a child, birthdays were a special occasion, something which to look forward to with excitement and anticipation. It was a time of favorite foods, cake, ice cream, games, and, of course, gifts. Not having a source of income, birthdays were one of the few occasions to obtain the things one wanted. Beginning with the first birthday and lasting into the early teen years, birthdays were accompanied by a party, either at home, a park, bowling alley, or restaurant. Happy birthday was sung, a wish was made, and candles were blown out - a sequence that signaled the finale of the birthday celebration. The teen years saw less of the childish fanfare, decorations, and party hats, but still followed the traditional script. Gifts were still gi...
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