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Please come to my birthday.

Everyone is welcome.

Come empty-handed 

no gifts,

no greeting cards.

Just come as you are,

with blessings

I can open each day

and be grateful for this life.

We will eat delicious cake.

Just wish me a happy birthday,

and help yourself to the food I make.

Maybe the salt or spice might be less,

but there will be an abundance of love

enough to stay in your memory.

And truly, it’s absolutely fine

if you come only with blessings.

That is something I need

more than any gift or money.

Greeting cards are beautiful, yes,

but they gather dust every year.

Your blessings don’t.

So don’t feel shy

to come empty-handed.

You’re celebrating my birthday 

my day, my rules.

If you wish,

you can donate the money

you were going to spend on me

to someone in need.

Let the poor eat with us for a day.

And maybe, I pray,

on another birthday

another human will help them the next day 

and the chain goes on.

I don’t usually celebrate my birthday,

but if you want to celebrate it my way,

you are warmly, kindly welcomed.