My Word

Earlier this month, I sent birthday greetings to a friend and former colleague. "Thanks," she replied. "What's my birthday word?"

She was remembering a silly tradition I started years ago when I got my first "Word of the Day" desk calendar. Students and adults alike were fascinated by it, and the kids especially loved to find the word for their birthday. When it came time for me to pack my things for the summer, I always made it a point to tear off the months that we were on vacation. If I knew of a colleague with a summer birthday, they often found their birthday word taped to their door sometime in mid-June.

This went on for years, and I even photographed the words and texted them to friends who had moved on to other jobs, so it wasn't surprising that she asked. I no longer have a WOD calendar, though. When I retired, I passed it on to Treat for his English classroom, and I got him a new one at Christmas, just as my own used to be replaced at the holidays.

"I can't believe you don't have a word for me!" my friend replied when I explained the situation.

I was a little surprised by the strength of her reaction, but maybe I shouldn't have been. "Happy Birthday!" I texted another friend from school this morning.

"Thanks!" he answered. "What's my birthday word?"