Of Cakes and Gifts

A friend asked me why do you get a cake on your birthday? And why is it that we also get gifts?

They say, birthday cakes started with Greeks. Some say Germans. In the case of Greeks, they were offerings to their Goddess of the Moon, Artemis. For Germans, it was Jesus’ birthday celebration.

While gift-giving has been there since time immemorial. I found this article on gift-giving helpful. http://ezinearticles.com/?Origin-of-Gift-Giving&id=1090115

In an episode of Big Bang Theory, Sheldon gave Penny an earful when he saw her holding what appears to be a gift for him. Why is that so? Because he feels he is now imposed to give her a gift.

That shouldn't be the case.

Gifts come from the heart.

We are not obliged to give if we don't really mean it. Gifts are expressions of appreciation, an acknowledgment. It need not be a material gift; it can be a call, a line or two, your time.

This is may only be true for those needy of affirmation.

Either way, all these small acts are expressions that somehow you have an impact on someone else's life.

But then again, we need not just do that on birthdays, we can do that anytime.

Some are satisfied with telepathy.

But for those who are telepathically-challenged, let them eat cake.