Four Out of Seven

There are seven of us in my family of origin.  Four of us share a birthday.  My brother's birthday is three days after ours.  My youngest sister's birthday often coincides with Thanksgiving.  That leaves my middle sister, whose birthday is the true outlier.  Ironically, her daughter was born on her birthday.

Typically, when we all get together for Thanksgiving, we share something from the past year that we're thankful for.  Frankly, it's pretty predictable.  I like to shake things up so I suggested this year after dinner that we share something that other family members may not know about us.  Very few people knew that I had been my sister's birth coach when my niece was born.  We all laughed when my brother-in-law shared that he did not dye his hair...it's been obvious for years that he does so.  It was great fun...until we got to my middle sister.  She told us that the family had never celebrated her birthday & she felt left out.  Her voice began to rise as she described how she felt & I really thought she might even cry.  Well, Sis.  Message received. Loud & clear.  I knew that we must surprise her with a birthday celebration this year!

I have enlisted the help of my niece, who has enlisted the help of my brother-in-law & we're planning a birthday party for my sister complete with gobs of her favorite flowers (daffodils) and her favorite colors (kiwi & leaf green).  We're going to go with pom poms something like this

without the blue pompoms.  My brother-in-law will grill & we're asking everyone to bring a side.  It's our goal that this party remain a surprise for the next few days & that my sister will really feel all the love our family has for her.  I'll post photos after the big event!

Have a wonderful day & please.  Let one of your favorite outliers know how much you love & appreciate them.  Take good care.