Birthday Boy

Birthday cake for two million? Join in the celebration for a little boy who thought he had no friends. Is he ever in for a surprise?!

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What began as a Michigan mother’s loving response to her child’s sad disclosure that he had no friends with whom to celebrate his birthday on March 9th, has become a worldwide party beyond her wildest expectations. This was Jennifer Cunningham’s initial Facebook invitation that she thought might yield a few sweet nods to her son Colin.

I am Colin’s mom, I created this page for my amazing, wonderful, challenging son who is about to turn 11 on March 9th. Because of Colin’s disabilities, social skills are not easy for him, and he often acts out in school, and the other kids don’t like him. So when I asked him if he wanted a party for his birthday, he said there wasn’t a point because he has no friends. He eats lunch alone in the office everyday because no one will let him sit with them, and rather than force someone to be unhappy with his presence, he sits alone in the office. So I thought, if I could create a page where people could send him positive thoughts and encouraging words, that would be better than any birthday party. Please join me in making my very original son feel special on his day.

On the first day, she was delighted to have received 100 ‘likes’ on the Facebook page and now, a month later, it has more than 2 million likes and people all over the world are buzzing about this phenom. How his parents and sister are keeping this a secret is hard to imagine. They must be giddy with anticipation. Many thousands of cards are arriving at their local post office and videos have been created with greetings for this young man; including one called Happy Birthday, Colin that showcases a gallery of stand up comedians honchoed by Dave Williamson and some of his buddies, the likes of D.L. Hughely and oh….Jay Leno. At the end, Williams wryly shares “Jay Leno never wished me a happy birthday.”

Is there any among us who hasn’t felt misunderstood, different, or out of the norm?

Another highlights a worldwide virtual party with attendees that hail from places such as Italy, Texas, England, France, NYC, and Portugal. Living rooms, classrooms, military bases and sorority houses are the staging grounds for what will be a monumental surprise today. Some revelers are in costumes, others in uniform. All with one thought in mind, to make this young man’s day and perhaps be one of the most memorable birthdays he will ever celebrate.

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Kizoa slideshow: bday – Slideshow

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I have been following the social media buzz about this outpouring of love and support for a child that the vast majority don’t know and will likely never meet in person. It speaks to the open hearts and compassion that can be offered to ‘strangers’ who become our family of choice when we see our common humanity. Is there any among us who hasn’t felt misunderstood, different, or out of the norm? Can you recall a time when you might have been ostracized or bullied and how despondent you might have felt?

Being a tween in today’s society is not easy by any stretch, but add to it, a developmental challenge that sets you apart from others and there may be a recipe for isolation. Instead, from what his mother has shared on the page, he is a delightful young man who is active in their church, who adores his little sister, who by the way has said that she isn’t jealous of all the attention Colin is receiving and she has been able to keep the big surprise a secret.

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I have also noticed the numbers of parents who have used this as a conversation starter about bullying and honoring differences. I wonder how this will impact on those who have shunned or otherwise mistreated this young man.

Perhaps even more important is the way in which this love-fest will affect the birthday boy himself. Will it open the door to opportunities for stretching beyond what he previously may have felt were limitations and instill a sense of confidence that he might never have known otherwise? I would like to think so.

Mom had created a video with Colin a few weeks ago asking him how he felt about his birthday. Check out his delightful answers as he says he thinks he may get two presents.

If this is how happy he can be on an ‘ordinary day’, I am eager to see what his face looks like once he realizes the really big party he will be having.

You can send Colin greetings at a post office box that Jennifer has set up:
PO box 756
Richland, MI 49083-0756

Offering one of my favorite party heart-y and hardy birthday songs: Happy Birthday by the Beatles. Rock on, Colin!

Happy Birthday Colin Facebook Page/pccrafter