Marc Gunn's Journal Articles: Happy Birthday to You and Me

Okay, I have a vain confession... I love birthdays! But I don't like making a big deal about it. I know this sounds like nothing important, but to me, it kinda is. College was a horrible example of how I feel about my birthday.

My birthday is on March 17th, St. Patrick's Day, and it was always during Spring Break. So me being the martyr would not say a word about my birthday. I kept it very hush, hush, because I didn't want to make a big deal about it. I kinda figured if you didn't have enough interest to ask, you weren't interested enough for me to tell.

Consequently, I'd spend my birthdays on church retreats, quitely mumbling to myself, "Hel-lo. It's my birthday...I could set this place...on fire..." Okay, maybe not the last part, but I'd quitely mention it and then we might celebrate it a wee bit like on one retreat when we went to Florida to build houses. We drove down to the keys, had dinner and walked along a dock. It was a special birthday to me, but at the same time, why doesn't anyone take notice of me?

So a year ago, I decided to resolve that problem. I wrote a song called, Happy Birthday From Ireland. On the one hand, it's a happy birthday song for anyone who is of an Irish heritage (like I am). On the other, it's a happy birthday song from Ireland to ME!

I guess that's where the vain part comes in. But at the same time, I'm not really sure if it is vanity. I've quietly persecuted myself for so many years, why not have birthday song for me? Why not tell the world that I love it when people celebrate my birthday? It makes me feel good when they do show interest!

So here goes: My birthday is March 17th. That's St. Patrick's Day, the luck of the Irish (and Scottish) be with you and me. And if you'd like to wish me a Happy Birthday, I'd love to hear it!

Oh, and umm... if ye really want to, you get order me a present from my Wish List at Amazon.com. (Just do a search for my email address marc--AT--thebards.net :)

BTW. In case you missed it. Head over to the "Happy Birthday from Ireland" link, and you'll be able to listen to the song from my CD Soul of a Harper.