Birthday Wishes

Happy birthday, Grandma. You loved us into the people we are. We notice. We thank you. We love you back, twice over.

Happy birthday, Mom. The number of times you said 'because I said so' and turned out to be right is frankly embarrassing for both of us. Happy birthday, genius.

Happy birthday, nephew. I've been watching you grow up for years, and I've arrived at a firm conclusion: we're all going to be hearing about you for a long time. That's a compliment. Mostly.

Happy birthday, Uncle. You've given advice that saved at least three members of this family from serious mistakes. You know who you are. We know who you are.

Happy birthday, Mom. Google 'unconditional love' and all roads lead back to you, which is impressive considering what you've had to work with.

Happy birthday, Mom. Of all the wild and precious things this life has handed me, you are the one I keep coming back to. Thank you for being home.

Happy birthday, niece. You've got this whole 'being a person' thing on track, which is genuinely not as easy as you make it look. Proud of you.

Happy birthday, my daughter. May this year be soft where the world is hard, and loud where the world is quiet about your worth.

Sixty, Uncle. Six decades of being the most entertaining and occasionally the most infuriating person in the family , sometimes in the same conversation. Today we raise a glass to the stories, the opinions, the appearances at exactly the right moment, and the exits timed perfectly. You are an original. Happy 60th.

Sixty years, Grandma , sixty years of love poured generously into everyone around you, and somehow you still have more to give. Today the whole family wraps the table around you and just listens. Tell us a story. Take your time. We're not going anywhere. Happy 60th.