I'm almost old enough to use up an entire pack of birthday candles.

Almost.

I turned 23 Monday, leaving one lonely candle left in the 24-pack of multi-colored candles.

And yes I blew them all out at once.

People are so nice on your birthday.

It's almost a little embarrassing, but I don't like drawing attention to myself. It's not their fault.

I received more than my fair share of birthday wishes, gifts and cards. And it will only continue when my Twin Cities friends host a barbecue for me this weekend.

As I looked down at my glowing birthday cake Monday night, I wondered how the tradition of birthday parties started.

Apparently the whole thing began as a tradition in Europe. People used to believe that evil spirits were attracted to people on their birthdays. So family members and friends would spend the day with the birthday boy or girl to ward those spirits off. Bringing presents only helped the cause.

Judging by everyone's kindness this past weekend, any evil spirits probably couldn't get past the earth's atmosphere.

Of course each family has their own traditions. I always like to have chocolate chip date cake on my birthday, decorated with pieces of candy.

Pictures are a huge part of the day. A family friend commented that relatives at her family gatherings rarely take pictures.

My dad could get a side job as a photographer with his enthusiasm for snapshots. He especially likes taking ones when people aren't expecting them.

Now that he has a digital camera, I need to figure out how to delete the pictures before they ever see the printer.

Each family member gives presents and often my younger brothers will make birthday cards on the computer.

I have to give my youngest brother credit for his card this year. He scanned in Garfield cartoons published on July 28 from 1980 to 2003 onto a card. He noticed that many of them had a birthday theme.

(And go figure, Garfield creator Jim Davis was born on July 28, 1945).

Turning 23 really isn't much of a big deal. I don't get anymore privileges this year. I'm too young to be made fun of about my age (although my brothers sure tried).

My friends and family made it seem a pretty big deal with their gifts and well-wishes and I thank them for that.

I try to remember where I thought I would be at 23 when I was a child. I can't remember ever thinking much beyond college. Any thought of a future after that was gathered from games of M.A.S.H.

Birthdays celebrate the day each of us came into the world and each year we celebrate another year of existence.

They are a time to reflect what you've done and what you think you're going to do in the next few years.

So many friends and relatives were there for me to celebrate my birthday this past weekend.

I need to make sure my existence will continue to be worth all that fuss.

Cari Quam can be reached at 434-2235 or by e-mail at :cari.quam@austindailyherald.com