If My Birthday Was October 2, I would never get to do this

My birthday is December 23.

For most of my childhood I wondered what it would be like to have a birthday in July.  Or August, or really any other time of the year for that matter.

Some years the day just felt busy -- pre-occupied with Christmas preparations or family gatherings. 

At least I never had to go to school (except half a day, my senior year of high school and that was pretty fun -- my best friends serenaded me over the intercom after morning announcements).

At some point though, my feelings shifted, and all of a sudden it felt like I had a free pass to REALLY enjoy Christmas week.  Added to that, there is a special sense of anticipation in the air on December 23 that you just don't feel on say, April 16 (unless, maybe if you're a CPA).

No doubt that's why my friends were given permission to sing to me over the loud speaker.  It was the last day of school for the calendar year and everyone in the administration office was pretty much in a good mood!

Yes, come December 23, almost everyone is in a good mood.

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Now I'm officially middle-aged and while the birthdays seem to come more rapidly, I'm still enjoying them and their proximity to the most important birthday of all.

Because if my birthday was October 2, I WOULD NEVER GET TO DO THIS!

Following Genti to a little village, just behind the foothills where we live.  I was in awe of the tranquility, so close to us, yet feeling so much further away.

We visited two kindergartens to deliver shoe boxes of Christmas love.

It was a family affair.

Ellie said "Gezuar Krishtlindjet" with each box she delivered.  I was so proud of her!

 Receiving their thanks felt ill-deserved.  We pass those on to those of you who have ever filled a box with special gifts for a child overseas...

I really don't think they knew what was happening, or what awaited them inside their boxes.

I'm pretty sure it was the first gift-wrapped present a lot of these children had ever received.  You see, last year we didn't have enough boxes to gift the Kopeshts...

 Then I think this kid got it.

They didn't open their boxes in front of us, which was probably just as well.  I can only imagine what it was like in their homes that afternoon!

Nope.  Not a bad way to spend my birthday at all.