[From Carol Kramer’s collection]
A wise friend told me that mourning is about missed firsts: the first missed Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Mother’s Day and Birthday. Bob is right. Today is the first missed birthday of Carol Kramer (May 29, 1933 – October 16, 2021).

Carol Kramer in the mid-1970s when she taught mathematics at Mercy High School. From More on Carol Kramer (1933 – 2021) and Tales of the Highland Crossing in Brighton
For decades, Carol hosted her Sunday dinner for friends and family. In warm weather, the dinner was held on the porch. When guests had birthdays, Carol decorated the porch with various birthday paraphernalia kept in the Birthday Stuff envelope.

The Birthday Stuff envelope

Sunday, May 29th, 2022. Note the center envelope (the others are Dave and Gene). Moochie was my father’s nickname for Carol.
The envelope contains birthday lettering and placards, cardboard glasses for guests to wear, and paper balls. Carol also saved birthday cards given to her, my father and myself, as well as some anniversary cards given by her and my father to each other. Their anniversary will be another first missed.

Sunday, May 29th, 2022. Note the miniature statue of a butler, my contribution to the dinners.
Another birthday tradition was the Family Birthday Card. For decades, Carol sent the same birthday card to family members: Janet, Eugene, Leslie, David, Justin, Katherine and Audrey. The family member sent back the card to Carol who sent it the recipient on the next birthday, sometimes with a check included. The card was also circulated amongst Sunday dinner guests, but they did not take it home.

The Kramer Family Birthday Card. For decades, the KFBC has circulated amongst its members. (top right) The paper wheels change the birthday years; (bottom left) The wording reads: Just a simple “Happy Birthday”Nothing different — nothing new But it holds a world of meaning When it goes from us to you! Note that Carol changed “me” to “us” and added The Rest of Us; (bottom right) The well worn, original envelope. Most recently, Audrey Boyce sent the card from San Carlos, CA to David Kramer in Rochester, NY for his birthday. The next sending will be in November back to California for Leslie Kramer’s birthday. (Copyright, Forget Me Not Cards, Cleveland, USA) From Bill Pruitt offers “TALKERS BIRTHDAY”: Five years and counting
PLEASE LEAVE COMMENTS IN THE COMMENT SECTION BELOW AT END
SEE ALSO
Thanks Mom for decades of Christmas Eve’s with the Yule Log and Dress Up games
More on Carol Kramer (1933 – 2021) and Tales of the Highland Crossing in Brighton
sorry for your loss Dave. She was a great lady
Thanks for your kind words.