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Birthdays need to be celebrated. I think it is more important to celebrate a birthday than a successsful exam, a promotion, or a victory. Because to celebrate a birthday means to say to someone: "Thank you for being you." Celebrating a birthday is exalting life and being glad for it. On a birthday we do not say: "Thanks for what you did, or said, or accomplished." No, we say: "Thank you for being born and being among us."
On birthdays we celebrate the present. We do not complain about what happened or speculate about what will happen, but we lift someone up and let everyone say: "We love you."
"Here and Now" / H. Nouwen

2年が経った。僕にはまだ色々なことが信じられない。母さんと出会ってからの時間でさえ、僕にはまだ夢のようなのだ。優しいメールや心のこもったプレゼントをくれたみんな、ありがとう。