Been thinking about my Birthdays in the 1970s. Because of her, I recall Birthdays going back to my 4th. I never had the HUGE / Gluttonous parties that kids have today. We did that with our boys and they were chaotic circuses. It was assembly lines of gifts. Both of my boys have little recollection of their 4th -10th B Days. EVERY year, my Mom MADE me a simple chocolate cake with chocolate icing...simple Duncan Hines layer cakes. I would get maybe 4-5 gifts. Thing is, she'd let me open one when I woke up just before lunch, a bit after lunch and just before dinner. It made the DAY special and each gift more special. I am 54 today and still recall a toy tractor I got when I was four and a cement truck when I was 5. I can still smell the cold air coming from the small window AC we had in our dining room in our small 2/1 house. My Grandfather lived across the street and always joined us for dinner. VERY special memories for me. My Brother would have the same sorta day on 14 August. So simple but so memorable. Before she passed and years before, I made damn sure my Mom knew just how much her simplistic Birthdays meant to me.
I regret that the ex and I did not go the same route when our boys were young. Their "parties" turned into feed the guest and watch THEIR kids chores.
