Thursday, March 26, 2009
I have two definitive birthday memories from my childhood. One lasted through high school, the other was a moment in time.
For every birthday, my mom made me a dessert all the way through high school. I didn’t want any old sweet treat. I requested a whole array of treats—something different for every year.
Variations of brownies, rice cereal squares and cheesecake dominated my birthdays, along with the occasional piñata and balloon animals. I once even had puppy chow. Whatever I craved that week before my birthday, I got.
My other birthday memory was in grade school, a time when all the boys in my class were invited to the party because of gender, not because we necessarily liked each other.
We ate brownies, they watched me open presents, and I wore a king crown from Burger King.
Because boys will be boys, we played games. My dad’s wisdom came into play, especially for tug of war. Rope burn, little did my friends and I know, would have destroyed our little hands. My dad’s solution: his garden hose.
We separated half and half and pulled as if our lives were at stake. No winner triumphed after about a minute, but before any of us could call it quits, the hose snapped. About a dozen boys flew in opposite directions just as my dad let out a yelp.
His hose was now useless, and he wasn’t happy. He tamed his temper as my friends scattered and he firmly told all of us to go eat more cake.
Check out Kelly’s Out & About on page 14 for some other students’ most memorable childhood birthday moments.
I decided to hold my tongue and not tell my dad I actually had brownies.
I guess along with another year of life, I gained another year of wisdom.
Editor's note
A message from Matt Hirschfeld
My lil’ buddy
I promise he’s not an accessory. He’s my best small friend.
Smith: Carefree days of childhood should be ...
Childhood
Editor's note
A message from Matt Hirschfeld
To hell and back
A fight outside Naismith Hall began Thor Nystrom's year-long journey into the ...
Sibling support
How my relationship with my brothers reminds me that everything will be ...
No dirty laundry for Reed siblings
Sophomore Lacie Reed is the men’s basketball team’s student manager, while her ...
Editor's note
A message from Matt Hirschfeld
Minor decision, major impact
One choice shattered my relationship with my dad, but gave me the ...
Next to Normal
Aliza Chudnow is learning to let go of her resentment and to ...
Moffitt: Technology takes the moment away
As technology continues to make our lives easier, it also takes the ...
Bornstein: A coming out story
Revealing sexual orientation to family and friends can be a defining moment.
Editor's note
A message from Matt Hirschfeld
Moreland: Novel contemplates fate
A gifted writer helps us contemplate our futures.
Ho: Uniforms help keep memories alive
Old school uniform is good representation of childhood.
Letter: Gay students shouldn't attend separate schools
Carmichael: Twenty-one shots? How ’bout 21 bong ...
Humor columnist Chance Carmichael shares his epic and unique adventures of his ...
Meeting of the minds
I used to hate my father for becoming a pastor, but now ...
Nephew of Michele Bachmann offers insights
Tyler Amble, nephew of GOP presidential candidate Michele Bachmann, spoke about his ...
For Bechard, coaching is a family affair
Volleyball coach Ray Bechard has coached through winning seasons and personal losses.
Matney: Don't let old friends slip away
Old friendships are more valuable than you realize.
Hiding Daddy
I tried to block the person I needed most
Same silence, different day
Adolescence was a lonely time, until I realized being alone can be ...
Students remember friend as all smiles
Matt Adair, a former student from Topeka, died earlier this week.
Students share Alternative Break experiences
KU students gathered at Woodruff Auditorium Thursday to talk about their past ...
Letter: No such thing as 'gay blood'
Hirschfeld: Supporting the troops despite political qualms
While there are reasons to oppose enlistment, signing up for the military ...
Hirschfeld: Could gay schools be ‘separate but ...
Third time's a charm
One Jayplay writer's experience watching her mom find "the one" and another ...
A writer's catharsis
Personal essay: Grasping for hope
How one text message changed my life forever.
Editor's note
Jayplay editor's note
Goodbye Jesus, hello guru
Why not try someone else’s religion on for a change?
Smith: Gender equality works both ways
In the war of the roses, men are taught to treat women ...
These are my people
Finding spiritual identity in Italy.
Years apart
How my 37-year-old brother became someone I could count on
Keepin’ the faith
My journey from altar girl to party girl. And back again.
Casual dining, serious dating
How I found love in the most unexpected person
Former player finds many successes despite rampant ...
A strong foundation: Campus architect builds legacy
After a 63-year career, Warren Corman, University Architect, will retire on Thursday.
From left: Kimberlee Hinkle, Libby Johnson and Hannah ...
1 comment
Kansas Jayhawk fans hold aloft a reproduction of ...
2 comments
Erin Saupe, a Ph.D. student from St. Cloud, ...
1 comment
0 comments
Armed robbers continue to threaten.
3 comments
Lecture from Greg Mortenson, co-author of New York ...
0 comments
Comments
Use the comment form below to begin a discussion about this content.
Sign in to comment
Or login with:
OpenID