Only Gene can turn his own birthday celebration into a celebration of everyone else at the table instead. We got together for a brunch at Chez Zee this morning for an early birthday celebration, but it soon turned into a handing out of "little red bags." In my family, a "little red bag" means you've done good, whether this entails graduating, turning another year older, or some other sort of success. A "little red bag" also means something sparkly is about to appear and gasps are soon to be heard. In celebration of my publication offer, Gene gave me a pair of gorgeous oval ruby earrings, which I happen to be wearing at this very moment. His generosity makes me embarrassed I didn't get him a "little red bag" of his own for his birthday, but Gene isn't really a "sparkly" kind of guy. Something tells me Gene's favorite birthday gifts are seeing his family happy, healthy, and doing wonderfully. Happiest of birthdays to Gene!
