Why do people who share my ethnic background wish each other congratulations when a spouse or child has a birthday? I mean, it's my wife's birthday today and along with congratulating her they extend good wishes to me also. Initially, I found it a weird habit. It's not my birthday and I had nothing to do with it being hers. But slowly on I've been wondering. I've never asked anyone why we do it, but here's what I think is the root cause. I have a feeling that it goes back to a strong sense of family in community. A wife, husband, parent or child are interconnected and what affects one affects all. So to isolate one person on a day made meaningful by the presence of family and friends makes no sense at all. Given the number of phone calls we received today, I think my theory is proved.
Somehow in a world of toxic individualism, a strange but wonderful custom remains that speaks a beautiful word recognizing that together we are better. So congratulations with my wife's birthday indeed!
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