He Always Laughed

Flash Fiction

He Always Laughed

My son was born December 28th. I was delighted! The December part was iffy. I didn’t want him to be born on Christmas Day… though looking back, after the fact, I think it might have been easier for us all.

In his infant, toddler years it was just family. He didn’t know much about birthdays so the cake and presents were just another fun day. But then he got older and realized birthdays were special, and fun for the birthday person.

His first school experience was a preschool. He loved it, new friends, playing with other toys, swings and slides! He quickly made some very good friends (some he’s actually kept to this grown-up day.) So, when his birthday was coming around, I decided to throw him a surprise birthday party!

The day came, I had everything ready, fifteen kids invited, his school friends, plus our neighborhood kids, and family kids. Of course it was Christmas vacation, but Christmas was over, his birthday was on Thursday. My sister took him for the morning so I could set everything up. She and her kids, and mine, showed up just as the party was ready to start.

One kid showed up… I got apologies for days! It was Christmas vacation! Everyone else forgot!

From then on, until he decided he was old enough to handle his own birthday, we had all his birthday parties in June. Lovely weather, great for a party in the backyard! We even picked whichever date Saturday was, so it never interfered with school or Sunday activities.

He didn’t mind at all because he virtually got two birthdays’, including presents! Two parties! Our celebration at home, then his friends in June. Of course, we always gave him one more present from us in June. And he always laughed!