When I told our 2 year old it's her birthday this month...
A few days ago, our 2 year old was watching baby shark or something that had a happy birthday song.
She pointed it out to me, and said, "Mommy, look!"
I told her, "You know, it's going to be your birthday this month."
Her whole face lit up and she smiled and said, "My irt-day?!"
Me: "Yes, your birthday!"
Her, beaming: "Yay!"
She is still learning how to speak and doesn't say a lot of sentences (she can but she's stubborn lol), but the amount of excitement on her face was amazing.
Even without her knowing anything we are going to do that day, it made her feel special knowing it would be her birthday.
I felt a mixture of excitement and sadness all at once.
This is the innocent joy the org has stolen from toddlers...and people of all ages, all for man-made rules.
But the good news is we can take back that joy and pass it on to upcoming generations.