I recently went out for breakfast with my friend, Jill, and as I settled into the booth, she slid an envelope my way. I smiled, picked it up, and asked her what this was for. She smiled back and wished me a happy birthday. I was touched by her thoughtfulness and I’m sure I blushed a little. For as often as I insist that my birthday is ‘just another day’, that I still have to get up, take care of my kids, do laundry, cook, clean, go to work, or do whatever it is I need to do – it always warms my heart when someone recognizes it. Even if just to say the words.

I thanked her and took the card in my hands. The envelope looked fancy. It had a birthday cake on the front and some retro curvy stripes on the flap. ‘Happy Birthday’ was even embossed on blue foil. I opened it up. The card itself was made of heavy blue paper, the kind used for scrapbooking, adorned with appliqués of those retro stripes and matching ribbon, ‘Happy Birthday’, and a cake with sparkly candles. It was so pretty! Inside, the message read, “Wishing you a happy birthday”. She added a personal note that made me laugh out loud. (No, I’m not going to share it with you here – it’s personal!)

It really was a beautiful card and it looked handmade, so I asked her if she’d created it. That’s when she gave me that sheepish grin of hers and confessed her little secret: it was one of many greeting cards included in a large box set that she bought at a wholesale club store.

My jaw dropped. She laughed. Then she proceeded to explain that she’d discovered one of these sets a few years ago and that it was different every year. It contained cards for just about every occasion you could think of: anniversaries, weddings, babies, birthdays, sympathy, and even thank you cards. She couldn’t remember exactly how many were in the box or how much it cost, but according to her estimate, the cards averaged out to less than $1 per card. Again, my jaw dropped. Considering we readily pay $2 . . . $3 . . . $4 per card at the grocery store or a gift store, this was a great find! I couldn’t believe it! (I also made a mental note to look for it the next time I was there . . .)

Long story short . . . I was incredibly touched by the simple, yet heartfelt gesture of my dear friend. She didn’t have to give me a card for my birthday, but she did – and I felt loved. It reminded me that something as simple as a birthday wish could bring so much joy to a person’s life. We’re all busy. It’s hard to find time to give the kind of attention our friends and family deserve. But the small gesture of a card to say, “I’m thinking of you” could just make someone’s day . . . or week . . . or month . . . you get the picture.

And it doesn’t have to cost a fortune! ;D