Thanks!
I remember things still so let's take advantage of that.
I remember many, many years ago, when I was just a young punk without even an inkling of CRM, the thrill of looking through toy catalogs and dreaming, hoping, and wishing for that one really cool toy and all the fun that I (and my brother) would have with it. My family didn't have a lot of money so many times, those dreams and hopes would remain just that.
But my mother was full of love and insight and she always knew which items would really be special to my siblings and me and she somehow scrimped and saved and made it happen on occasions. The joy of opening ""the big present"" on your birthday or on Christmas Day was a build up of anticipation and glee that culminated in a gigantic explosion of happiness and satisfaction when you saw your dreams materialize in to that one glorious toy.
And the best thing was - because we didn't have a lot - we loved the hell out of the things we had. We appreciated them and appreciated our parents for what they provided. We understood what it was to have sacrifices and we understood what it was to cherish things and each other.
We had ups and downs - like most families and friends - but for the most part, we were a happy, loving family.
As I get older, I look back on events in my life and I realize now more than ever, that it's not enjoying the things that made the family stronger, it was the strong family that made it possible to enjoy the things.
My birthday wish is for all of you to enjoy your families and loved ones.