And there came a day unlike any other…. My Birthday – with no party.

It’s hard to explain, to those who don’t know me well, the reasons why I used to throw my own birthday party every year. It’s very simple actually. The party isn’t for me but for my family – blood and knot.

I had very little to do with my birth. I mean I was THERE and all…. However, my parents chose to have me. My sister looked after me. My family raised me. My friends became my family when I went into the world.

Celebrating myself I can do any time – usually on Tuesdays. Family? I choose to celebrate them on my very special day.

But this year I didn’t. You see, I forgot something as I happily soaked beans, prepared rice, hid pralines, stirred my roux and peeled shrimp.

I forgot that my family just loves me. They don’t care about the party.

That’s a hell of thing to forget.

So this year, no party. No Red Beans and Rice. No Gumbo. No Red Velvet Cake. No Pralines. No Presents.  No music. No mead.

Just love.

Happy birthday to my family. I love you too.