Day 8 — Birthdays Wishes achievement
February 8, 2013 in Journal
So… I’m going to confess something. When I started the Month of Letters, I had several reasons for picking February. It’s the shortest month. It’s often a little dreary. It has Valentine’s day in it.
And my birthday.
That’s today. When I issued the first challenge, I thought that maybe 75 people would participate but it was over 700. I looked at Rule 2, “You must reply to everything you receive” and had a little panic. So I pulled all mention of my birthday and pretended that it didn’t exist. Today we have over 1800 participants, so that panic is still a little present as I fess up but…
But, on my author website I’m giving away a novelette as a party favor. I wanted to share it with you as well and there’s really no way to do that without telling you that I’m having a birthday. So… hop over to my website, if you want to read “The Lady Astronaut of Mars.”
Of course, I also have a present specific to you and that’s the Birthday Wishes! achievement. Send a card to someone, report in, and you can unlock the Birthday badge. It features my Grandma, who turned 108 on February 5th. I’m home to celebrate with her and with my mother whose birthday is the 11th. If you know someone else who is having a birthday, send them a card. If you have already sent birthday greetings to someone, just report it the next time you fill in your daily “What have you sent” report.
Patti said on February 8, 2013
Well happy birthday to you, your mom, and your grandma. Awesome that she is 108!! You are blessed indeed to still have her.
Felicity Shoulders said on February 8, 2013
I had exactly the same panic about replies with my February birthday — but with much less cause, since you get letters from all these fine Challenge folks!
Happy birthday to you and your continuingly amazing grandmother
(P.S. I just got the address in Mongolia of a letter-loving friend of mine with a birthday just after mine. I think I’ll count it as birthday wishes even if it’s a light little airmail envelope instead of a card!)
Julie Barrett said on February 8, 2013
Happy Birthday!
Stephanie C. said on February 8, 2013
Happy Birthday to you, Mary, and to your mom and 108-year-old grandmother! Wow!
My aunt celebrated her 90th birthday today, and my mom, her 84th, two days ago.
I sent two other birthday cards, both to artist friends, one born on the 12th, and the other, on Valentine’s Day.
Tegan Williams said on February 8, 2013
Happy birthday Mary, but HAPPY BIRTHDAY to your Grandma! 108 – wow!! I’m excited about this achievement! I just today wrote a birthday card for my Mum, for next week!
Alex said on February 9, 2013
Good morning!
Happy birthday to you and your Granny and Mum! How great you can still celebrate together (I lost my beloved Granny two years ago in February with 99 years – and I still miss her!). So celebrate together and enjoy it!
Casle Portner said on February 9, 2013
Happy Birthday to you! And me! February 8th too! Your Grandmother is beautiful.
Mary Robinette Kowal said on February 9, 2013
Happy Birthday to you as well! I hope it was splendid.
Diana said on February 9, 2013
Happy Birthday (belated) to both of you
I just sent a birthday gift to my sister two days ago 
Her birthday is the 8th, too!
EAJ3 said on February 9, 2013
Until now, I didn’t have anyone to whom I could send a birthday card in February. Slightly tardy best birthday wishes to you and your grandmother!
Will belated birthday cards and letters rate an achievement badge?
Mary Robinette Kowal said on February 9, 2013
They do rate.
But… Here’s a whole thread of people who are having February birthdays. Why not pick one of them instead of me, since their birthdays are still in front of us? And then there’s the birthday letters for Zoe project.
EAJ3 said on February 9, 2013
Oops, left out your mom — a happy birthday Monday to her!
Olivia Arduini said on February 9, 2013
Happy birthday! Thank you for the free download, I’m looking forward to reading it. And wow, your grandma is only 108?
Hee hee. My brother’s birthday is tomorrow so I am excited to get the awesome badge.
Nikki said on February 9, 2013
When my grandmother turned 90, I asked on my blog for people to send her cards hoping I’d get to 90. I got 106! (I numbered them all with stickers so she could know.) She loves opening cards, so she was very excited. Imagine the number you could get for your grandmother! I also wrote to the president, governor, and mayor and got cards from everyone; the mayor even had the card hand delivered!
K. Tempest Bradford said on February 9, 2013
Folks who want to send Mary birthday felicitations may want to check out this forum topic: http://lettermo.com/topic/help-me-help-mary-and-make-her-birthday-awesome/
Jackie Parkins said on February 9, 2013
Happy Birthday to all of you! 108 – wow!! My daughter’s birthday was yesterday and I sent her 2 cards and a package, I’m off to report.
Ria Cabral said on February 9, 2013
108-year-old grandmother! Wow!
Ann K said on February 9, 2013
I’m glad you picked February too. I have bunches of birthdays in the month (mine is later this month) and of course there are Valentines to send too. Still a little stressfull when it is 2:00 and the nearest mail box, which is a couple of blocks away, has a 2:30 pick up and I’m not ready yet. I’m mailing a birthday card early today since I’ll be gone part of the morning.
Happy Birthday to you!
Jonathan Gabel said on February 9, 2013
Happy Birthday Mary! My birthday gift to you is that I reached the magic number of 23 last night and I will continue to write more letters before February 2013 is over! Once more, Happy Birthday Mary!
Amber said on February 9, 2013
Happy belated birthday! I hope you are enjoying your visit with the other February birthday ladies in your family.
cathy said on February 11, 2013
Hope your birthday was amazing. And thanks for the novelette. I loved it!