I had another birthday earlier this week, turning 29 again this year. Since in doing so I am stealing a page from my sister's book, I figure no one will really care. She probably got the idea from Jack Benny anyway.

Besides, age is relative. And since I am younger than most of my close relatives, that makes me feel better. Even if I am usually introduced as the big brother, it is really just a reference to physical size, not age. Don't get me wrong, I love both of my sisters, no matter how young or old they claim to be.

I always look forward to a few things every year: vacation time with my family, the birth of new buds and blossoms in the spring, starting a garden, fresh fruits from my trees, the turning leaves in fall, the first snow in winter, watching children open Christmas presents, the crisp feel of the winter air. However, my list of things to look forward to does not include my birthday. To me, it is just another day.

Doesn't the day prior to my birthday represent living another year from that same date the year before? Therefore, I try to celebrate every day that God sees fit to give me on this earth. If we look, I know we can all find in ourselves a grateful heart for what we are given — from the first breath in the morning to the last sigh at night.

I do enjoy getting presents from my family and friends, no matter what the occasion. Presents are always welcome, aren't they? I don't want to sound ungrateful, but I wouldn't really care if they gave them to me on one day in March or April instead of my birthday. After all, it's the thought that counts.

As I told some friends the other day as they tried to get me to tell them my age, "I am older than 21, which makes me old enough to do anything a legal adult can do, including vote and make bad decisions. I am younger than 55, which means I can't retire or get discounts at restaurants and the drug store. The rest is irrelevant." "But really, how old are you?" I have had guesses ranging anywhere from 25 to 45, neither of which was very close. I never tell.

For some, birthdays bring about thoughts on mortality, morbid ideas of growing one step closer to death and all that stuff. Save the dour thoughts for your funeral. There's no reason to worry about such as that. Instead, try worrying about things that can be changed. We are all going to die one day; thinking about it today will not help slow it one bit.

So, if you are having a birthday this year, allow me to offer a little bit of friendly wisdom that I have picked up here and there.