What this picture is
This is a birthday celebration. The candles on the cake are lit and "Happy Birthday" is being sung. That beauty in the center of the photo is my mom, Mary Louise. I'm the one wearing the Packer stocking cap. Behind me is my cousin Tim, sporting one of his sweater vests. The tall one looking right at the photographer is his brother Tom. (I am 100 percent sure my grandma took this photo. She was a great capturer of family moments.) Next to Tom, singing the loudest is my brother, Kevin. On the other side of my mother with his hand on her shoulder, singing the second loudest is my brother, Pat. Next to Pat, the blonde head is Brian of the "Tom, Tim and Brian" cousin trio. In the braids with ribbons and sporting a big smile, is my sister, Sheila.
We are in my grandparents dining room. On the table is a bottle of wine. It looks like one of the bottles of German wine my parents used to buy. Also on the table are wine glasses and a crystal rocks glass, that were purchased when we lived in Germany.
Why I saved this picture
I can hear and feel the moment this picture captures. We, children belting out our love and affection.
I know what comes next too.
After the song, my mom will blow out the candles, and we will cheer! Then she will cut us each a piece of the angel food cake that my grandma made. She will pass the plate to someone else, probably my Aunt Rita, who will add a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the plate and hand it out.
We will eat our cake and talk about whatever is going on in our lives. There will be some laughter and some encouragement offered.
After the cake dishes are loaded in the dishwasher and the table is wiped down, we will head home, with our tummies and hearts full.
Acknowledge milestones to demonstrate your affection
We have so many excuses to not make the effort or take the time to acknowledge a milestone in a special way. Yet, when we do, it's awesome. The goodness is felt by all gathered!
Those who study brains will tell you, it's oxytocin being released in these moments, and that oxytocin is the best! It heals your stress induced wounds and strengthens your immunities.
For me, celebrating milestones is always worth the effort and time.
Let's keep celebrating milestones and be sure to include the children. They too, need to know that we are connected, and that we care about each other.
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