![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.rknibbe.com\/blog\/images\/2014\/February\/oldMan.jpg\")
<\/p>\nHappens every year on this day<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
I don’t know whether to be cynical or flattered by some of the birthday cards I get. For instance, one from the woman who processed our mortgage loan. Or the dentistry practice, or the State Farm office. You have to wonder when they include a business card rather than a check.<\/p>\n
You’re special to us every day. Even more so today! <\/em><\/p>\n Yes yes, I’m sure any one of your days would be incomplete without at least one passing thought of my existence. The loan processor’s card had a painting on the front of a babbling brook flowing beneath an old wooden footbridge, sun glinting through Fall foilage on the banks, peaceful and serene being the intent I suppose. But for me it produced the same terrifying feeling Dorthy must’ve had watching the sand grains fall in the hour glass before her days were up and she’d have to surrender the red slippers. And your little dog too!<\/em> Cue nefarious witch laugh…<\/p>\n At least the loan processor’s card contained a hand-written wish penned just for me: Have a wonderful day and best wishes for the new year! <\/em>Translated: Currently offering 3.75% on qualified refi’s with no loan origination!<\/p>\n It was signed, Sincerely, Kathleen<\/em>.<\/p>\n Not Love, Kathleen, no, Sincerely Kathleen. <\/em>Sincerely is what you write when you’re sad or being stoically professional, not when your client, one who is “special every day!”, turns 54 and you’re wishing them the best for the new year.<\/p>\n Even Sincerely raised an eyebrow with Happy Wife. She picked up the card, read it, looked up at me and asked, “Who’s Kathleen,” with an unmistakeably derisive dwell on -een. <\/em> I played it for a bit, “Oh, nobody really, just someone who evidently thinks I’m special every day.”<\/p>\n That was last night. Today, my day, Happy Wife’s card showed a picture of two puppies asleep, one puppy’s paw draped over the others neck. Inside: Next to you is my favorite place to be. <\/em>Now that’s a birthday wish.<\/p>\n Okay, I agree, probably a bit too spicy for Kathleen, but just sayin’.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Happens every year on this day I don’t know whether to be cynical or flattered by some of the birthday cards I get. For instance, one from the woman who processed our mortgage loan. Or the dentistry practice, or the State Farm office. 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