I am hoping that the next one will be the one with fond memories. Birthdays were never made a big deal in our family. You got the cake of your choice and that was it. As an adult, I make my own cake...of my choice.

My 50th. My husband's family (my adopted blood family, lol) really surprised me with a celebration in Fla. It was in the summer and wasn't around my birthday, but they sent me and hubs to town to pick up some things, and when we got back, the house that we were renting was decorated to the hilt. My sil's gave me a ruby and diamond ring, bracelet, and necklace. So sweet and pretty. I cried my eyes out. I never have felt so special. I am so blessed to have been married into such a loving family. Even though my growing up years were hard, I have been given back 10 fold. I am truly humbled by God's grace.

Had to be my 16th-way back in 1960. My mom surprised me with a party at her restaurant with 25 of my classmates & friends there. She served 'Basketburgers' (hamburgs & fries), chips & dip & everyone got to make their own banana splits! She had plugs for the jukebox & pinball machines so we played free music & danced down the center of the restaurant. It was a BIG deal!

We always had birthday parties as kids, and were always alowed to pick the food for all the family's meals for 'our' day, so they all sort of run together in my mind now. But as an adult, there is one that stands out brilliantly.

It was 17 years ago. DH and I are 9 days apart, btw, I'm older. So my birthday came around. Dh has never been huge on making a big fuss for birthdays, but he generally gets me a small gift, a card and a cake. This particular year, my birthday came and went without even a mention. I was beyond hurt. Thought about ignoring his the same way--but by the time 9 days had passed, I'd worked through that and carried on as usual--giving him his gift, cake, special dinner (all the while gritting my teeth). Well, about a week later, one evening, DH out of the blue, says, "Want to go look at Himalayan kittens?" He knew I'd wanted one for years, and had been looking in the paper for weeks and weeks for some for sale--but there simply weren't any. Finally, someone only about 2 miles away advertised a litter. We went, picked out the most gorgeous little fluff ball, and still enjoy her today--her birthday is next week.

That birthday truly ran the gamut--from the worst to the best. It was the first really expensive birthday gift my husband ever gave me (he's upped the ante several times since), and she's absolutely the best gift I've ever received from anyone.

You are so lucky Azzalea, I don't even get a "Happy Birthday" from my husband, let alone a gift or card. He does remember all the kids and gets them gifts.

Sue

My most memorial B'day was April 22, 1978. The reason is a secret. Although I send out about 21 cards out for others b'days, I usually get 2. Thats just the way things are. Dottie

About 12 years ago my mother was in the cold dark place known as alzheimers. She had been ill for about 2 years at that point and failing quickly. The phone rang at my home and my Dad was at the other end of the line. He said happy birthday and hold on a minute. The next thing I knew Iheard my Mom's voice singing happy birthday to me. It was loud and strong and she remembered every word. Nothing in the world compares to that. She passed away about two years later.

Wonderful memory Satine. My Mother does not have alzheimers but she is so hard of hearing it is just next to impossible to try to talk with her. She does have hearing aids, but they don't do much good it seems.

Sue

When I was a kid I never got a birthday cake or gifts, but I was told " Happy Birthday " by whichever family member I was living with at the time.

I started working at a factory in Augusst 1970 when I was 23. Saturday, October 31 the supervisor told me and several other people we were laid off. I was devastated because I was divorced with a four year old dd and a 14 year old brother to take care. My birthday was the next day and the last thing on my mind.

With a heavy heart I was reading the classified ads in the Sunday paper looking for another job when there was a knock on the door. I went to the door and there were four of my co-workers who were also laid off the day before. They brought cake, ice cream and a bottle of cheap wine. They sang to me and stayed a couple of hours. That was such a bright time in a dreary page of my life. We are all still friends.

DH usually gives me a card for my birthday, but I'm the one who has to drive him to buy one, so some birthdays he makes me one on a scratch piece of paper. As for gifts, if I want something within reason, I will go buy it and tell him what he bought for me.

Linda

My 40th was fun thanks to my little Sis making all the plans. Family, co-workers, two boyfriends all were there!!

My 60th was special as I'd completed my cancer treatments, had started remission and was still celebrating all of that as well. I also remember how my dear Mama had told me she was depressed on her 60th, so I celebrated for her, too...just wish she'd been with us then. ;(

My 13th. A few blocks down from where I lived was a shrimp place They made the most delicious boiled shrimp and sauce. As I remember it they were huge. It was a take out place. My mom gave me enough money to buy 13 shrimp for my birthday mmmmm

I didn't get birthday parties growing up.. in fact I remember once having to go to someone elses birthday party on my birthday!

I don't know what year it was, but it was right before DH and I were married and we went to a club called Henry the 8th and it was the 8th of August (my birthday). A lot of my friends showed up and it was just a memorable fun night.

The birth of my DD
The birth of DS

I had nice basic birthday parties when I was in elementary school but nothing really stands out as an especially fond memory.

My mother always had a birthday party for me with cake and ten or so guests -- friends from family and school.

But the party I most remember was a Halloween party my mom put together for me and some of my friends from Camp Fire Girls. We earned some cooking badges by making our own dinner: hot dogs and grated carrot salad with raisins (made to look like mini-jack-o-lanterns). After 'dinner' we all went out trick or treating for an hour before returning to my house for dessert. When we got back to my house...the whole house was DARK. It was scary. As I led my friends up towards the front door, around the side of the house in the dark came a GHOST! It must have been eight feet tall! It didn't say anything -- just loomed there...until my mother started laughing and removed the sheet she was holding above her head on a broom.

This is the same mother who brought me my breakfast in bed once when I was very sick -- and on my tray, in a little dish under a napkin, was a fledgeling Robin! I don't think Mom expected it would revive from its fall from a nest quite as fast as it did. I removed the napkin. Bird and I stared at one another for about one second before it jumped up to the edge of the dish and took off. Mom had to move fast to open a BR window to let it fly out!

I got a horse for my 11th birthday. I was the happiest kid on earth and the rest of my childhood totally revolved around that horse.

We normally didn't do much for birthdays, or Christmas, even, but I had wanted a horse for so long, and my mother promised to get me one, and when my grandmother died, there was a little money left over from her estate, and she bought me an old, retired cow horse for $55. His name was Prince and I loved him so much. He broke his leg and had to be put down two days before I got married. We were all just sick over it. My husband to be, spent a couple of days helping my father dig a hole by hand to bury him. It was January and too muddy to get in with a backhoe or anything.

My 40th...The kids had a big surprise party for me...

My oldest daughter lived in Minn. at the time...I hadn't seen her for awhile...

Our younger daughter and her husband were going to take us out to eat...We were to meet them at her house...When we got there the dinning room and kitchen were dark...she called me back there and it was full of "ALL" my family and my cousins that I was raised with...

I was so happy to see my oldest daughter and my grandbabies from MN....I was teary...

patti

My 21st was fun. I was a senior in college, but it wasn't that kind of party. LOL. My parents came down and took me, boyfriend (now DH) and roommates and all my aunts, cousins out to dinner at an Italian restaurant that was often the setting for special family dinners. Must have been 30 of us. Dad ordered wine for the occassion and I kept the cork.

We didn't typically have parties growing up, but we still were treated special for the day. With my kids I've had a couple parties when they asked for them, but most of the time it's dinner of their choice, a cake and a small gift.

Last summer DS#4 turned 6. On the day of his birthday he asked for a pinata. I said OK. Then he asked if kids on our block could come to break it...and the next block.. and a few others in the neighborhood... in the backyard. I said I'd call them. And he asked to share cake with them while they're here. OK. I went out for a bigger cake. So I ended up calling or sending the kids to the door of all our neighbors, ended up with about 15 kids here, plus my own, from age 2 to 16, and a lot of parents (b/c these were friends of the family). I also filled water balloons and kids brought squirt guns. It was last minute, so most people did not bring a gift. The kids all had a blast! The water fight that wouldn't end. It was dark by the time everyone left. DS announced "This is the best day of my life!" THAT birthday will probably always stick out in my memories! It was just fun to have it come together like that, no planning, just spontaneous.

My 16th birthday was spent at my pastor's home with friends. We celebrated my birthday and then gathered around the TV to witness the first steps on the moon (July 20 1969)

Jodi-

My DD was born on my 27th birthday.

I remember another one I don't know which one
My mom gave me a hat box and in it were all kinds of little wrapped gifts.

In our house and with my boys it wasn't what you got but how many things haha there were always lots of fun things like whoopee cushions and yo-yos etc We had mucho gifts under our trees too

I remember my thirteenth very clear...
Our Neighbour invited a few girls and
told me that having a thirteenth birthday
on Friday the 13th was very bad luck.
She said I wouldn't last out my teens.
Ha I fooled her....I am now 74.
Dolly

I was a very "girlie" girl and when I was about 6-7, I announced to my mother that my favorite baby doll (I still have that doll) was going to have a first birthday. We planned a birthday party for her, I invited all my friend's favorite dolls and we had cake, ice cream and party hats and games.

Everyone brought my doll (a life size "baby" doll) a little "baby" gift - it was a slice of heaven of a day for me.

I still have the old black and white pictures of this party, one in a little frame on my bedroom bookcase. It was a magical time for me and all my friends and all their favorite dolls, my mother really knew how to make her little girls very happy.

I was born Oct.26,1950..and this is was taken on my 18th birthday! THAT birthday has a LOT of wonderful memories that stretched out almost 40yrs!
{{!gwi}}

As they say now: the back story.

Birthdays had always been celebrated in our family.

My DH passed away in December, 1982. Life was just a blur for months after that.

On my Birthday in 1983, my DD and my DGS and I went out to eat. That was it.

June 21st, 1984 was my 60th birthday. I had heard nothing about any birthday plans. My DGD was spending the day with me, but that wasn't unusual. I spent the afternoon sewing, as my cat sat in the window and watched. After a while I noticed the cat getting down from the window and heard a thud. A few minutes pass and I noticed the paper boy looking at something on the sidewalk. I went to see what he was looking at and there was my cat. Poor Fluffy was dead! On my birthday! She was 17 years old, but had no signs of being unhealthy.I called to my DGD and she and I went to the back of the area where we had a garden and we buried her.

By now I was sad, dirty and sweaty and it was about 6 o'clock. I was wearing some old shorts and a shirt with the hem coming out! I sat on the swing on the patio to rest a minute and then I heard voices and saw people coming down the driveway carrying food and packages!

We had always had parties, cookouts, etc. in that backyard, but without my DH, I had done nothing like that. I just didn't have what it takes to do that without him. The yard was his favorite place.

My DD had planned this Surprise Birthday Party for me. Now today, how could I not be happy, surrounded by the love that brought these people here to break down the wall of gloom? My DD knew what I needed.

June 21st., 1984, and I was 60 years old. That was the day I took a new look at Life!

Sue

There is only one birthday in my entire life that stands out among the others, but not in a good way. My birthday is August 10 and my mother's birthday is August 11. Growing up, we always celebrated our birthdays together. But the year I turned 21 (1970) my mother died on July 30. So, my 21st birthday, which should have been great, was a total bummer because my Mama wasn't there to celebrate with me.

But my then-fiancé (who became my first husband) took me to Las Vegas to see Elvis in concert. I'd never been a huge Elvis fanatic, but he did put on one heck of a good concert!

I am an only child, but my folks didn't believe in big blow-out birthdays. I remember my 10th birthday, my mom invited some of my friends (probably 2 or 3) and my cake was on a revolving cake plate that played Happy Birthday!

The worst birthday was my 12th...my beloved dad whom I adored died two weeks to the day before my birthday....

Now all these many years later, on my 70th, my DH and children had a surprise open house for me at our church.
It was wonderful, good friends and family made it a very special day.