I have had trouble remembering birthdays when I was young so this surprised me. This morning when waking up a memory of a party given for me when I was about 9 yrs. old was drifting in my mind. I remembered enough of it that when I woke up more of it presented itself. It was in France and a girlfriend gave me a surprise birthday party - or it could have been a going away party as in those days, families moved in the summertime before school would start. I remember one gift I received, a small embroidered handkerchief from Switzerland. Then after that memory, I remembered my father had forgotten my birthday in France (not the same day as this party) he came home late after dinner and gave me some francs, because he didn't have a gift. We were alone in the living room, I think mom was in the kitchen. I was very shy with him and said thank you. No hug or kiss, but he was smiling. Interesting.
