Happy Birthday To My Brother Who Is In Heaven

Birthdays are weird, aren't they? Especially when you're celebrating one for someone who isn't physically here.

Balloons and Birthday Cake...Up There?

My brother, Michael, would have been 42 this year. He's been gone for five years now.

So, you might be wondering, how exactly do you celebrate a birthday in heaven? Turns out, it involves a lot of imagination and a healthy dose of laughter (and maybe a few tears).

We started a tradition: a "reverse" birthday party. Instead of Michael receiving gifts, we give them away. To charity, to people in need, or even just random acts of kindness for strangers.

The Great Pancake Promise

Michael was obsessed with pancakes. Seriously. He could eat them for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

One year, for his birthday, my mom attempted to make a stack of pancakes as high as he was. It ended in utter chaos. Flour everywhere, batter dripping from the ceiling fan...you get the picture.

Now, every year, we attempt (and usually fail hilariously) to recreate this pancake mountain. It's a sticky, sweet, and incredibly messy tribute to a guy who loved breakfast food a little too much.

Remembering the Quirks

The best part of these heavenly birthday celebrations is reminiscing. We tell stories. Lots of stories.

Like the time Michael tried to dye his hair blue for a school play and it turned green instead. Or the time he accidentally glued his hand to a model airplane.

They're the stories that make us laugh until our sides hurt, the stories that remind us of his goofy spirit. The stories make us remember him.

Sending Up Birthday Wishes

We also write birthday cards. Sounds silly, I know. But it's strangely therapeutic.

We tie them to biodegradable balloons and release them into the sky. Imagining them floating all the way to Michael, filled with our love and silly messages.

It's a visual reminder that even though he's not here, he's not forgotten. And that we're still sending him all our birthday wishes, wherever he is.

A Celebration of Life

Celebrating a birthday for someone in heaven isn't about sadness. It’s about celebrating their life, the impact they had on us, and the memories we shared.

It's about keeping their spirit alive, even though they're no longer physically present.

So, happy birthday, Michael. We miss your pancakes, your terrible jokes, and your infectious laugh. Hope you're having a blast up there. Maybe even eating a mountain of pancakes!