DEAR ABBY: Until my daughter was 18, we did all the traditional birthday celebrations. On her 18th birthday, she turned the tables saying, although she was born on that day, I had done all the work of giving her life.
Now, at her request, we spend her special day celebrating each other. She takes me to dinner and buys me flowers, and I let her. And now on my special day, I do the same for my own mother.
This has become a tradition, and my grandchildren now follow it. The only gift necessary is the time we give each other. -- APPRECIATED IN IDAHO
DEAR APPRECIATED: I like your daughter's idea very much. It makes perfect sense to me. In my opinion, what makes any holiday special is the time people who care about one another spend celebrating together.