February 9, 2014

Today we celebrate:

National Stop Bullying Day – This is a day to stop the bullying. I know that kids are throwing the “bullying” term around a lot. My own daughter has a very loose definition of what it means. She accuses people of bullying for the most ridiculous of offenses. So talk to your children, help them to understand how to recognize real bullying and how to stop it and who to talk to if they see it or experience it happening.

National Bagels & Lox Day – This is a typical Jewish-American dish. Bagels were first created in Poland way back in the 1600s and being a circle shape, they represent the circle of life. Lox, thinly sliced cured salmon, represents the saltiness of tears. Putting the two together became popular back in the 1800s in America. You can also add things such as cream cheese, onions and capers.

Read In The Bathtub Day – Relax in a quiet bathroom, in a warm tub full of water, with a good book and maybe even a glass of wine if you're old enough. Just be careful you don't fall asleep and get your book wet.

Autism Sunday – Celebrated on the second Sunday in February, this is a day that was begun in the United Kingdom in 2002 by Ivan and Charika Corea, founders of the Autism Awareness Campaign UK. They have a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder and a communication disorder and they have urged people in leadership positions to speak up for people with Autism and Asperger syndrome. This day has grown in popularity and is now celebrated around the world in many different countries.

Man Day - Celebrated on the Sunday before Valentine's Day, this is a day that was created in 1999 in Trinidad and Tobago. The purpose of the day is to focus on the health of males, improving gender relations, promoting positive male role models and gender equality. These all sound like good goals to me and if you look online, you will probably be able to find some groups that you could join that are holding events geared toward men today.

World Marriage Day – Also celebrated on the second Sunday in February, this is a day to focus on the sanctity of marriage. It is promoted by religious organizations that declare marriage to be between a man and a woman. If you feel the same, hold tight to your spouse because today is all about how important marriage is to the Church and to the world.

National Toothache Day – I cannot fathom why we would celebrate pain, but here it is. If you insist on celebrating this day, you may want to do it from a dentist's office where you can get some relief. Most toothaches are caused by problems with your teeth of some kind and a dentist is better qualified than anyone else to figure out what the problem is and how to fix it.

To celebrate today, go with your spouse to get your toothache fixed at the dentist's office, then encourage the males in your household to get their health checked. Teach your children how to recognize a bully and what to do about it while you have some bagels & lox. Then donate to an Autism organization and get your favorite book to read while you relax in the tub.