Happy Birthday

by Mrs. Lori Palatnik

Who should get the present?

Published: January 12, 2008

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Visitor Comments: 24

(24) Anonymous, January 24, 2008 10:07 PM

To Marc

Yes, it does take a father also to make a baby. And yes, he should be recognized. But you must admit that it's the mother who deals with the nauseau and vomit of morning sickness, aches and pains of loose and streching ligaments, constant bathroom trips, heartburn, shifted center of gravity, lack of sleep due to physical discomfort and aformentioned bathroom trips, varicos veins... I could go on but lets get to the punch... hours and hours and hours of labor to do what is comparable to pushing a cantalope out of your mouth.

(23) Anonymous, January 21, 2008 4:27 AM

This video is marvelous!!!!! It brought tears to my eyes. Lori is wonderful!!!
I kept thinking while I was watching it how lucky her husband and family are
to have her in their lives. Please, Please keep her videos coming!!!!
Thank you so much.

(22) Anonymous, January 20, 2008 10:53 PM

More yellow roses.

A few years ago, just before the High Holidays, I went to my mother's apartment and presented her a dozen yellow roses, her favorite. When I walked in I said, "thanks mom for giving me life." She was totally taken by surprise, especially since she left me and my sister with our father when we were very young. And, there were long periods that we didn't even know where she was. Almost in tears she said, "but I didn't give you a very good life" which I replied, " well maybe that's what you think but, yah know... overall its been a fantastic ride, no matter what, its been worth with it all - thanks mom, thanks for giving me life and I mean it from the bottom of my heart." Then the most incredible thing happened, she cried, as hard as it might be to believe, I could see the guilt that I never knew she carried leave her face.

I'm approaching my 59th birthday. After my own experience and watching the video, I realize doing it again is the thing to do. This year, on my birthday, I'm going to take her more yellow roses.

Tanks Lori.
B"H

(21) mom, January 18, 2008 2:23 PM

birthday

When you started with "Happy Birthday" I thought you were going to continue...."mom, on your 75th!"
But you already gave me two great concert tickets, so I just had a good laugh!

(20) shoshana, January 18, 2008 6:42 AM

just on time

lori, my birthday is on next shabbat. i am having very hard times right now, being homeless and unemployed, althought Hashem granted me with so many presents and gifts that i do not know how to use, but hopefully i will be ok.
the thing is that my mum not always acts the same when having me living with her or when i am out of her house.
so it is actually hard to say to people who does not get along well with their mum to do that.
if u have an answer for me until next shabbat, u go!
shoshana

(19) Anonymous, January 17, 2008 9:56 PM

I've sent my mother flowers for MY birthday for as long as I can remember

My goyish co-workers cannot understand my lack of enthusiasm for all the birthday celebrations, even mine.

As far back as I can remember, I have sent flowers to my mother on my birthday. I ask the florist to send my message on a "It's a Girl" card and include my personal note of appreciation for her love and support. It has become even more meaningful since my divorce, as her role in my life has become much greater and more visible. When some people learned of this practice, they asked my permission to 'borrow' the idea. I didn't invent the concept and I'm probably not the first to do it. But I'm happy others want to acknowledge their mothers the same way.

(18) Phil, January 17, 2008 9:51 PM

Very Cool Thought

Very cool. I sent this to both of my kids!

(17) hadasa, January 17, 2008 4:34 PM

i really like it but its not Lori's type to say "what da heck"

(16) moshe, January 15, 2008 11:34 PM

thank you

thank you for bringing this thought to the world- we need it !

(15) Rosen, January 15, 2008 10:51 PM

Never thought of it that way!

Good point in putting birthdays more into context, Lori. So, birthdays should be more like a 2nd Mother's Day. I am certainly thankful that my mom gave birth to me and that she and my dad have supported me virtually every step of the way. For my next birthday, I'll have to think about doing something special for my mother since she conceived my birth.

(14) Hilary, January 15, 2008 10:22 PM

Creative, uses common sense and useful!

Lori gives these mini sermons in under 3 minutes that are always so thought provoking! I wish she had her own blog so I could see her daily.

(13) Paula, January 15, 2008 7:23 PM

I agree

For many years I gave my mother one long stem rose on her birthday with a note to thank her, not only for giving me life, but for putting up with me, for raising me with the values I have now. Money struggles stopped this, however this last year I was reminded of it again. She is 87.... she needs to know.

(12) Bruno Wielfaert, January 15, 2008 3:29 PM

Dear Lori,
I want to thank you so much for your wise words. Even though I'm not a Jude, you touched my hart with your words and wisdom. Next month is my birthday and I will bring 46 flowers to my mother. Todah, Bruno Wielfaert.

(11) Pietrina, January 15, 2008 2:43 PM

It's like a piece of cake,

Lori,
I wait to listen to you like I am about to enjoy a piece of cake. Your words are delicious.

(10) Marc, January 15, 2008 2:40 PM

Fathers Give Life Too

Last I checked, it takes a mother AND father to create life. A mother's egg cannot be fertilized without a father's sperm. Lori completely forgot to give fathers their due credit in giving life as well. Her principle, while admirable, must be extended to fathers, too. That was Lori, almost (creating) life.

(9) ruth housman, January 15, 2008 2:36 PM

what is being borne

I like to listen to Lori's commentary because it's refreshing with a new twist, like sparkling water with a twist of lime. It's always wonderful to get a present from one's children and truly, to be appreciated on THEIR birthday in this way. Well what parent wouldn't glow?

(8) Cindy Bryant, January 15, 2008 1:40 PM

Thank you for bringing light to this truth!

My mother shall be blessed from this year forward.
Thank you for the words of wisdom.
Cindy Bryant

(7) Anonymous, January 15, 2008 11:51 AM

What a gift this is!

Today, January 15th, is my birthday and I opened this movie and watched it with rapt attention. It's especially pertinent today as I anxiously await an appointment for "extra films" of an already suspicious lump in my breast. The gift of life is the most precious gift there is!
Yosher koach, Lori!

(6) Laura, January 15, 2008 11:23 AM

HB Lori!

Happy Belated Lori! As always, thank you for sharing your ponderings with others.

(5) ESTY, January 15, 2008 8:50 AM

WOW! As ususal!!

(4) Ari, January 15, 2008 8:17 AM

Excellent, as usual!

Great idea. Does it extend to the father as well? (true question!)

(3) michelle, January 14, 2008 2:29 PM

SOOOOOO GOOD!

I think you should name the new web page Lori Palatnik, im sure it will be the best name! Everyone will go in.

(2) Anonymous, January 13, 2008 12:10 PM

wow!

I am so blown away. My birthday is on the 28th of this month and I am going to try doing as you say, giving my mother a gift. My mother abandoned us as children and I have struggled ever since with how to honor her despite my anger towards her. During my childhood, many birthdays went unrecognized, with me hoping for a phone call or acknowledgement from her. All those years, I should have been calling her on my birthday - to say thank you for the gift of life! Lori, thank you for the knock in the head! You are truly wise.

(1) Anonymous, January 13, 2008 9:02 AM

Moms the word

Yes, I totally agree with you about Mom getting the gift & the thank you...I have always said that, but pretty much got laughed at...thank you for bringing it up!!!!! And I thank your Mom for giving birth to you or else we wouldn't have Lori...almost Live!!!!! Yasher Koach!

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About the Author

Mrs. Lori Palatnik

More by this Author >

Lori Palatnik is a writer and Jewish educator who has appeared on television and radio, and is the author of "Friday Night and Beyond: The Shabbat Experience Step-By-Step," "Remember My Soul - What to do in Memory of a Loved One," and co-author of "Gossip: 10 Pathways to Eliminate It From Your Life and Transform Your Soul." She is a much sought-after international speaker, having lectured in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, U.K., Central America, South America, South Africa and Israel, including featured talks at Yale, Brown and Penn. She lives in the Washington D.C. area, with her husband, Rabbi Yaakov Palatnik. Lori is the Founder of The Jewish Women's Renaissance Project, an international initiative that brings over 1,000 women to Israel each year from ten different countries on highly subsidized programs to inspire them with the beauty and wisdom of their heritage. She is the busy mother of five children, ages 24 to 14; and her son, Zev, just finished serving as a sharpshooter in the IDF. Her weekly video blog, "Lori Almost Live" is a popular feature on aish.com, viewed by over 50,000 people each month.

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Happy Birthday

Who should get the present?

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