Birthdays, vampires, cake and kindness

So I think I squandered my big birthday wish on the gorgeous weather. At the risk of jinxing it, it appears that spring may have FINALLY arrived to these parts, and that makes me happy. I’d like to take a brief moment to point out my selflessness, as the warm weather and sunlight benefit everyone. Well, except vampires. And snowmen. And people who don’t live nearby.

Anyway, you’re welcome.

What I’d really like is to have my cake and eat it too. I’ll be honest, I’ve never understood that phrase. What’s the point of giving someone cake and not letting them eat it? Does that make sense to anyone?

All joking aside, what I really wish, for my birthday, is for a little more kindness in the world. If you’re so moved, go out today and do something nice for someone else. Be kinder than necessary. Perform a small act of kindness for no other reason than to do it.

Also, perhaps you’ll consider supporting one (or all!) of the following? Even a small amount would make a big difference to these exceptional people and causes.

Donate to my strong and generous friend Sue, who is racing in a MARATHON to fight childhood cancer. In her own words:

On May 4, I will run my first marathon, dedicated to kids with cancer and RACC. Thank you, for joining me in this fight. Cancer is stealing more of our kids than any other disease, and 46 kids will be told they have cancer today. We can’t let cancer win. One of the things I love about RACC is the funds raised go to THREE excellent pediatric cancer causes: Cure Search. MACC Fund, and Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin. Your contribution, and your support, means the world to me. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. http://www.active.com/donate/raccfund/suespaight

Donate to my witty and compassionate friend Doug, who is participating in his SIXTH Pan-Mass Challenge, an intensive two-day bike ride raising money to go DIRECTLY to doctors and researchers seeking treatments and cures for cancer. In his words:

This summer, I will ride my 6th Pan-Mass Challenge- once again, in memory of my father, Kenneth Haslam, and father-in-law, John Perkins, and also in honor of all my friends who are and have been affected by cancer. I hope you will help me (or help me once again) reach this year’s goal.

As for riding– well, I’m still just a guy on a bike.  Any physical hardship that we face in trying to complete the ride will always pale in comparison to what people face in fighting cancer.

Becoming a sponsor for the Pan Mass challenge means your money – 100% of it –  directly affects the ability of doctors and researchers to find cures and treatments for cancer– and for more children and adults to survive cancer. Your pledges do make a difference. As always, thank you for your support, and let’s get rid of cancer…  http://www2.pmc.org/profile/pfp.asp?profileid=dh0159

Or donate to Civilination, whose mission is, “to foster an online culture where every person can freely participate in a democratic, open, rational and truth-based exchange of ideas and information, without fear or threat of being the target of unwarranted abuse, harassment or lies.” As you know, online (and offline) civility is near and dear to my heart. http://www.civilination.org/