A birthday wish by Sue Robin

Russ said to me a few days ago, “Hey Sweetie, your birthday is next month. What would you like for a gift?” My instant reply was, “World Peace!” He claimed that’s above his pay grade and asked again. “Well,” I said, “how about getting the hostages home safely.” “Nah, can’t do that either.” “Okay, how about food for the Gazans?”

 Be serious, he says. I reply that of course I am being serious. I would dance a silly dance and die happy knowing that Russia had withdrawn from Ukraine, that the Israelis agreed to a two-state solution, that the hostages were all home with their families, that Hamas is no longer a threat…

I could go on listing all the evils of the world, but he knows, and I know, that while we can pray, wish, hope and hold all the images of peace, relief from the evils that grow out of a desire for power and control are not to be bought at Target, or Macy’s, or Bloomingdale’s. Costco and Walmart don’t stock it either.

My birthday desires are priceless and impossible to find. I try to shrink down my wants to something within reach. I ask for the people of the world to be compassionate. He says that’s closer, but I better put my desires on Ozempic and shrink them even further.

I ponder this dilemma and say, “I know! I want people to be kinder.” “Ah, he says, “that sounds more reasonable.” And he promises me he will be even kinder than usual and pray that each act of kindness will move others to do the same.

Now, that’s an incredible gift, one that we can all give each other, birthday or not. I’ll just have to save the big wishes for the candle on my birthday cake.