I was thinking about my upcoming birthday, in the early 2000s, about 20 years ago, while I was sitting at work. Usually the birthday fund in the office provided a cake for an employee’s birthday, but on occasion this did not happen if several birthdays had recently occurred. I was excited about my birthday that particular year and wanted to celebrate the special day. I decided I would buy my own cake and share it with the office.
I stopped at a grocery store bakery that morning and selected a quarter sheet cake decorated with an autumn theme. I carried it to the counter and asked the clerk to personalize the cake. She asked what I wanted written, and I replied with a happy smile, “Happy Birthday To Me!”
I carried the cake into the kitchen after I arrived at work and set it on the table closest to the door. My cubicle occupied a wide corner just outside the kitchen. Within minutes, someone entered the kitchen for coffee. They stopped at the table and read the words on the cake out loud, “Happy Birthday To Me”. Then they asked, “Who’s me?” I turned around and announced, “ME!! Have a piece of cake”! This was repeated throughout the morning. Everyone who entered the kitchen would see the cake, stop and read it, and ask, “Who’s me?” I turned around each time and answered with a big smile, “ME!! It’s my birthday! Have some cake!” I received multiple birthday greetings and everyone in the office knew it was my birthday before the end of the day! I had so much fun with this cake and the accompanying laughter!! I was eventually asked why I had brought my own cake, and I explained that I was celebrating my birth and wanted to share that joy with others.
I was not going to wait and see if the office provided a cake. I would have been so disappointed had I come to work and there was no birthday cake. I chose to bring a cake to eat and share with the office and in so doing, I had a wonderful day that I still remember. There are times when we can take the initiative and do something unusual that will touch everyone around us in some small way.
Happy Birthday To Me!!!
10/30/2022