My Birthday Wish - A Red December at Soul Fixins in NYC

“We are all manufacturers. Making good, making trouble, or making excuses.” – H. V. Adolt

Is it just me or do birthday wish lists get more practical as we get older? I think children tend to ask for two types of gifts – things they think they want and things they need but can’t buy because they are too young to drive a car, earn income and/or actually make purchases at some stores. More often than not, the items a child requests will be something fun. On the other hand, adults tend to request gifts that might not have bells and whistles; everyday things we could easily get ourselves.

Just the other day, when my mom asked what I wanted for my birthday, I said “ink.” Not tickets to an NBA game. Not a Spa manicure. Not even a birthday cake (I’m actually doing donuts this year in lieu of cake. That’s another story). Ink for my printer would do just fine since I keep running to the library, office supply store and nearby University every time I need to print documents. At 11-45 cents per page, that isn’t much but adds up eventually. Alternatively, I’d settle for a colander to wash my salads and pastas, light bulbs, a new trash can, or a manual can opener since the one I had broke a few months ago.

One of my favorite childhood photos. I don't know how old I was here tho.Although I’m aware that I can get these things myself – I’ve forgotten to pick them up when I’m out and about, on more occasions than I dare to count. Other times, I just don’t have the extra $7 or however much it costs to get these things when it comes down to choosing between household items and food, transportation or heat. Oh the joys of being a grown up, right?!

There still is an upside to having a practical wish list – even when it doesn’t sound very fun, especially if you’re like me and rarely know what to say when someone asks you what you want for your birthday. It’s much easier to just name something that’s already on your neglected shopping list of random items that can be had at the local grocery, pharmacy or home improvement store.

When all is said and done, I could still wait another month or so for printer ink but our friends, family, neighbors and servicemen in the U.S. Military who lose nearly everything they have to home fires shouldn’t be left waiting for shelter, warm blankets, food or toiletries such as soap, toothpaste, hair combs and other necessities to help them rebuild after a disaster. These things are provided immediately, thanks to the emergency relief efforts of the Red Cross. That is why my ULTIMATE wish for my birthday is to unite a minimum of one dozen people who will buy raffle tickets between now and my birthday celebration at Soul Fixins restaurant in New York City this Friday, December 12^th, for a chance to win one of five DVD movie gift baskets.

As a winter baby who grew into an adult wanting simple gifts in life, I am pledging my birthday to the American Red Cross in a weeklong celebration that lands at Soul Fixins, welcoming those who care about fire safety to join me for a day of movie gift set raffles, southern cuisine and music, to save lives.

How do YOU usually celebrate your birthday?

Are there any fun or interesting facts about YOUR birthday?

*The Monday Movie Meme will return next week.