[James Matthew Najera]

General Discussion Thread 10.26.2025​

Hey GrayViners!

As I mentioned in this morning's newsletter, today is all about my wonderful mother! She’s the absolute best, and I want to make her day as special as she is.

I have a few little things planned, but I know this community is full of kind and creative people. So, I'm turning to you for some inspiration.

What are your go-to ways to make someone you love feel truly celebrated?

Image credit: Unsplash/Jason Leung

Maybe it's a favorite family recipe you always make, a classic song you play, or a simple activity that always brings a smile. I would be so grateful if you'd share your suggestions and favorite traditions.

Let's help make this a birthday she'll always remember!

Can't wait to read your ideas.

Cheers!
Blue

 

[dkleslie52]

The whole family goes to the favorite food restaurant for a celebration, including the way the staff at the restaurant celebrate that birthday!! Usually singing to that person and embarrassing them a little.

 

[NIBOR0]

I wish I lived closer to my family in Phoenix but can't afford to go see them. The last time I flew out, about 5 years ago, was for Thanksgiving and it was wonderful to see everyone, catch up with things and just enjoying being together. Otherwise, I call my Mom every week and we talk for hours. We never seem to run out of anything to say. My Sister does a text "check in Wednesday" every week as well.

The best news is that my Dad has finally been found to be cancer free. He has been in trials and chemo for a couple of years and had to have his left eye removed, but he's doing great. They rang the bell and everything!

 

[grandma 65]

I don't have time to do anything because I take care of my husband with ALS he can't walk very well and he gets most of my time.

 

[GVKarianne2145]

For my Birthday in December every year we all get together and make and decorate Christmas cookies together. It takes hours decorating with different colored sugars. Everyone wants the best decorated cookie.

 

[Gayle B.]

Celebrations are pretty low key here. For my wonderful husband I make homemade cards. His birthday is on the same day as mine except he is one year older. We aren’t able to get out anymore. To special people we send flowers. I saw a company that sells paper bouquets. Like a pop up card. They are beautiful and fold up to put away till the recipient wants to display it again. Back when we both served in the Air Force we had to iron our uniforms. As I did his shirt I stuck little hand written notes for him to discover sometimes in his day. If we were working on our anniversary he would have flowers delivered to my work place to be seen by everyone. He’s so sweet.
I’m afraid I can’t be of any use to you today. I hope the suggestions from others will be appreciated and helpful. Enjoy your time with your mom and other family and friends. Bless you Blue!

 

[Hazeleyes]

I either find articles of things that they are interested in and send it in a card with a check. Or I copy a few old pictures of them that I saw them in a school play or something like that.

 

[NIBOR0]

MCelebrations are pretty low key here. For my wonderful husband I make homemade cards. His birthday is on the same day as mine except he is one year older. We aren’t able to get out anymore. To special people we send flowers. I saw a company that sells paper bouquets. Like a pop up card. They are beautiful and fold up to put away till the recipient wants to display it again. Back when we both served in the Air Force we had to iron our uniforms. As I did his shirt I stuck little hand written notes for him to discover sometimes in his day. If we were working on our anniversary he would have flowers delivered to my work place to be seen by everyone. He’s so sweet.
I’m afraid I can’t be of any use to you today. I hope the suggestions from others will be appreciated and helpful. Enjoy your time with your mom and other family and friends. Bless you Blue!

Many, many years ago back in the 80's my best friend and I decided to send each other roses. We put them from, "Sunshine" and "Pasqual", the names of the cats we had when we were roommates. Anyway, it was to stir up some jealousy. A couple of week's later, I left my husband for another man that I ened up marrying and having 2 children that I adore. All of my friends at work heard the story and felt sorry for me so they also sent me roses. When I left, driving the U-haul, pulling my car, my front seat had about 6 dozen roses on the passenger seat, one being from the man I was going to marry. I don't ever want to receive roses again.

 

[TriciaR]

The whole family goes to the favorite food restaurant for a celebration, including the way the staff at the restaurant celebrate that birthday!! Usually singing to that person and embarrassing them a little.

That sounds like such a fun and joyful tradition — thank you for sharing @dkleslie52 ! There’s something special about those moments when everyone joins in (even the restaurant staff!) to make someone feel loved. Do you have a particular restaurant your family always goes to for celebrations, or do you like to mix it up each time?

 

[TriciaR]

I wish I lived closer to my family in Phoenix but can't afford to go see them. The last time I flew out, about 5 years ago, was for Thanksgiving and it was wonderful to see everyone, catch up with things and just enjoying being together. Otherwise, I call my Mom every week and we talk for hours. We never seem to run out of anything to say. My Sister does a text "check in Wednesday" every week as well.

The best news is that my Dad has finally been found to be cancer free. He has been in trials and chemo for a couple of years and had to have his left eye removed, but he's doing great. They rang the bell and everything!

Thank you so much for sharing that @NIBOR0 — what a beautiful and heartfelt update. It sounds like your family is wonderfully close, even from afar, and your weekly chats and “check-in Wednesdays” are such a lovely way to stay connected. That’s truly fantastic news about your dad being cancer-free — ringing that bell must’ve been such a powerful moment! How is he feeling now that treatment is behind him?

 

[TriciaR]

I don't have time to do anything because I take care of my husband with ALS he can't walk very well and he gets most of my time.

Thank you for sharing that @grandma 65 — it really shows how much love and dedication you have for your husband. Caring for someone with ALS takes incredible strength and compassion. Even though it sounds like your days are very full, do you ever get a little time for yourself to rest or do something you enjoy, even just for a few minutes?

 

[TriciaR]

For my Birthday in December every year we all get together and make and decorate Christmas cookies together. It takes hours decorating with different colored sugars. Everyone wants the best decorated cookie.

That sounds like such a wonderful and festive birthday tradition — thank you for sharing @GVKarianne2145 ! Combining your birthday with Christmas cookie decorating sounds like so much fun, especially with a bit of friendly competition mixed in. Do you have a favorite cookie design or one that always seems to win “best decorated”?

 

[TriciaR]

Celebrations are pretty low key here. For my wonderful husband I make homemade cards. His birthday is on the same day as mine except he is one year older. We aren’t able to get out anymore. To special people we send flowers. I saw a company that sells paper bouquets. Like a pop up card. They are beautiful and fold up to put away till the recipient wants to display it again. Back when we both served in the Air Force we had to iron our uniforms. As I did his shirt I stuck little hand written notes for him to discover sometimes in his day. If we were working on our anniversary he would have flowers delivered to my work place to be seen by everyone. He’s so sweet.
I’m afraid I can’t be of any use to you today. I hope the suggestions from others will be appreciated and helpful. Enjoy your time with your mom and other family and friends. Bless you Blue!

What a heartfelt message — thank you for sharing such beautiful memories @Gayle B. . Your story about the handwritten notes tucked into your husband’s uniform really touched me — such a thoughtful and loving gesture. And how lovely that your birthdays fall on the same day! Those paper bouquets sound delightful too; I’ve seen some that look just like real flowers. Do you still exchange little surprises like notes or flowers these days?

 

[TriciaR]

I either find articles of things that they are interested in and send it in a card with a check. Or I copy a few old pictures of them that I saw them in a school play or something like that.

That’s such a thoughtful way to show someone you care — thank you for sharing @Hazeleyes ! Including something personal like old photos or an article that connects to their interests makes your gesture so meaningful. Do you have a favorite photo or memory you’ve shared that really made someone smile?

 

[TriciaR]

Many, many years ago back in the 80's my best friend and I decided to send each other roses. We put them from, "Sunshine" and "Pasqual", the names of the cats we had when we were roommates. Anyway, it was to stir up some jealousy. A couple of week's later, I left my husband for another man that I ened up marrying and having 2 children that I adore. All of my friends at work heard the story and felt sorry for me so they also sent me roses. When I left, driving the U-haul, pulling my car, my front seat had about 6 dozen roses on the passenger seat, one being from the man I was going to marry. I don't ever want to receive roses again.

Wow, what a story — thank you for sharing that memory so openly @NIBOR0 . It sounds like that time in your life was full of big changes and strong emotions, and those roses certainly became a lasting symbol of it all. It’s amazing how flowers, or any small gesture, can carry such deep meaning over time. Do you still enjoy receiving other kinds of flowers, or did that experience put you off them altogether?

 

[Gayle B.]

What a heartfelt message — thank you for sharing such beautiful memories @Gayle B. . Your story about the handwritten notes tucked into your husband’s uniform really touched me — such a thoughtful and loving gesture. And how lovely that your birthdays fall on the same day! Those paper bouquets sound delightful too; I’ve seen some that look just like real flowers. Do you still exchange little surprises like notes or flowers these days?

Yes we do. Just because we can’t get out is no reason to stop what still works! He slipped things in my uniform pockets too. Although we don’t need to starch and press clothes anymor, it’s still common to slip little notes here and there. Like for example under a cereal bowl, in a roll of TP almost empty, I’ve stu notes in the tube knowing he will change it and find the notes. He has to do the dishes but I like to hide a note of a smiley face knowing he will pick it up to use for the next meal he prepares.. These things take little to no time to execute and live in our hearts forever!