December 16th is a date that sits perfectly on the edge of the Christmas season, where the festive spirit is undeniable, yet the full holiday rush hasn’t entirely taken hold. It’s a special day to celebrate a birthday—a day when the warm glow of the season adds an extra layer of magic. Or, in my case, a day where I politely dodge the pressure to party like it’s 1999.
As a December 16th baby, you’re naturally part of a season steeped in nostalgia, lights, and togetherness. The Christmas tree might already be up, twinkling in the corner. There’s likely a faint scent of pine in the air and the promise of hot cocoa or mulled wine later in the day. If snow graces the ground, it’s the cherry on top, turning the birthday backdrop into something straight out of a holiday card. But let’s be real: the birthday cake is already fighting for attention against gingerbread cookies, eggnog, and Aunt Martha’s inexplicably green holiday Jell-O.
Sneaking to the computer at dark-thirty this morning, how surprised I was to find HHH has other ideas about birthdays. Right next to the key-board, (where I spend hours each morning), he had placed the sweetest card and present, just for me. One of HHH’s great qualities is his ability to make every day special, but he went the extra mile to surprise me this morning!
After sharing time with HHH, I found a thoughtful card from a person I’ve known longer than anyone in this world. Miss Song Bird had sent a lovely birthday wish. With six months time between our ages, she already entered her last year as a sexagenarian. It will be strange to begin a new decade next year. I plan to suck the life out of the 60s while I still can.
As much as I appreciate the thoughtfulness of others, I’ve never been one to enjoy celebrating my birthday. Maybe it’s the timing, so close to Christmas that it feels more like a dress rehearsal for the big day than a moment just for me. Or maybe it’s the idea of being the center of attention that gives me flashbacks to every awkward childhood “Happy Birthday” song.
Whatever the reason, today I prefer to let the day pass quietly, finding joy in the little things rather than grand gestures. Later today, HHH and I will join others for our third Griefshare meeting. It’s hard to believe it was three weeks ago that we wondered who would join us on this journey. Last week, we were six. Hopefully, we’ll gain a few more people today. If you have a program in your area, check into it.
There’s a poetic connection between a December 16th birthday and the broader themes of the season. Winter often represents a time of reflection and renewal, a pause before the new year begins. It’s an opportunity to embrace the stillness, to appreciate simplicity, and to find beauty in the little things in life. Or, you know, to binge-watch holiday rom-coms with zero shame while eating an entire cheese platter meant for four.
So, if your December 16th birthday aligns with the holiday season, let it remind you of the joys that this time offers: the warmth of home, the kindness of loved ones, and the quiet moments that often hold the most meaning. Embrace the day—or don’t. Because whether you spend it wrapped in tinsel or wrapped in a blanket, it’s uniquely yours, and that’s worth celebrating (quietly, of course).
More tomorrow