Thank you Pam I think you are right too, about his birthday being a particularly memorable one. As I've gotten older, I've become better able to recognize some moments that will become treasured memories as they are happening, and it is a wonderful feeling because in recognizing how special it is, I can really immerse myself in the happiness of it even more. I used to be dismayed how I often wouldn't realize just how special a moment was until after it was past, but maybe that is something one learns to recognize more after going through more of life's ups and downs.

Anyway, as far as birthdays go, I don't look at it as a celebration of a person being a year older, I look at it as a celebration of a person's life and existance. I think if you look at it that way, it takes on a less depressing light as you get older.