"Hi There!!! The Fun Ends...on YOUR BIRTHDAY!!!"

I've always felt that my birthday was a bummer. Nobody wants to party on January 2nd. Even I am glad to get back to a routine after the holidays. Many years, I've celebrated on other days.

Of course, every year, advertisers, starting in September, begin their Christmas campaigns, reminding you, "the fun ends January 2nd," or "you better get in now, because it's all over January 2nd."

I wasn't all that excited about another birthday this year, but now, the "Charlie Brown" nature of the date has been bumped up a notch: President Bush has declared January 2nd a national day of mourning, to remember President Ford.

It's certainly appropriate to declare such a day, out of respect to Mr. Ford and his family. But President Ford died on December 27th. That's a week ago.

Certainly, I'll be thinking of Mr. Ford today, and wishing his family well. Betty Ford, particularly, is one of the great and courageous women of our lifetime.

But I can't help thinking they picked the date by saying, "Gee, it's the holiday season. Let's scan the calendar for a nothing day when everybody...there you go...January 2nd."

So, for me, prayers for the Fords. But then, cake.