Every Day Birthday

"Dad," said the young boy, clear, bright eyes sparkling as he looked up at the man beside him. "What's a birthday?"
"Well Tommy," said his father putting down his knife and fork with a gentle clang on the bare plate and turning to face his son, making sure he had his full attention. "In the old days, a birthday was a person's special day, held once a year on the same date to commemorate, and celebrate the day of their birth."
"So why don't birthdays exist anymore?"
"Because one day, a little while ago, someone decided it would be a good idea to have your birthday everyday," said his father. "Once upon a time when the occasion was only annual, they were special."
"But it can't be special when it happens everyday," said Tommy, his eyes sparkling.
"Exactly," he said, reaching out to ruffle his son's hair.
"But aren't birthdays supposed to be special?" Tommy asked quietly.
"Yes, they are."

"Why do birthdays have to be every single day?" she asked with a heavy sigh.
"I feel like I've barely lived, yet I'm on the downhill track."
Her friend turned to her, mouth open wide. "We are not on the downhill track Sally!"
"It feels like it," Sally said.
"Maybe to you," said her friend.
"Kristen," Sally said seriously, eyeing her friend. "When you're about to have 'grand' added to your list of titles, it feels like it."
"There must be some way to age slower," said Kristen, thoughtfully scratching her chin.

"George," she said softly, squeezing his hand a little harder, causing his eyes to meet hers.
"What is it?" he asked, his voice so quiet she had to lean in close in order to hear.
"The people," she said shakily. "I'm not sure they like your invention."
"Well, I suppose it is killing me quicker." George shrugged.
"In the old days, every day was someone's birthday," she said, "but when it's every day, it loses the magic and the spark that all birthdays are supposed to have."
"What are you trying to say?"
"A day doesn't have to be your birthday just to be special."
"But birthdays are extra special."
"When they happen once a year," she said, surprising even herself with her patience. "But it loses all of that when it happens every day. Besides, having a birthday every day, you age a lot quicker and you're therefore here for a lot less time."
"Well, I suppose you do have a point Dear," he said to a sigh of relief from his wife.
"Thank you," she said, finally feeling herself relax,
"Will you contact my secretary for me?" he asked. in a whisper, "I'll make a motion to have it changed in the morning."