![happy bday giraffe.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmTxQMi6rCjSDEiPFQesF1L82wvgoo7vk2jfENPxqZnPGd/happy%20bday%20giraffe.jpg)

I would like to say good morning, good afternoon and good evening to everyone on Steemit! 
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As some of you know, today my country is celebrating it's 150th birthday! Happy birthday Canada!  Woot woot, let the party begin!

I will also be celebrating a birthday...but not until July 4th...U.S.A's birthday!  Oh, the conflict!
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My mom tells a funny story that I guess I was supposed to be born on the 1st of July but I decided to stay onboard for 36 more glorious hours!  I was not cooperative!  She tells me of the pain pretty much every year...sorry mom! 

I grew up in the big city of Vancouver,BC,  and July 1st was quite a spectacle! We would go down to Kits beach and watch the fireworks display...It was glorious as they shot the fireworks off the barge in the bay.
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I truly believed that those fireworks were **just for me** ! It didn't help that my family reinforced this ideal for years and years.  I felt pretty special.   I was even more excited to go down to the beach on July 4th to watch the US fireworks.  I, again thought that those were for me. A narcissist is born. Lol

As you can see, my birthday is kind of a big deal...not just because I was born on such an amazing weekend but because of the huge amount of pomp and celebration, fireworks and parties that go on around me at this time.  It is just a reminder that each and every one of us is special and on this planet for a definite reason and we all should celebrate! 
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So, if you are celebrating a birthday this weekend...look up and watch those fireworks in awe...they are just for you and me to remember how great we are. 
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Have a beautiful and safe weekend everybody!  
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<p><center>Happy Birthday Canada and USA!!!</center></p>

![namaste.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmW4b8jAMfaSUBJjN9MqTCzie53VmxEwvQDgS1BLHa6Rx8/namaste.jpg)
![shannon.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmRnSGtuJy6wF2NJvQM39RZ5ueyx2ECUG6uyaY27MWirw2/shannon.jpg)

*all photos courtesy of google images*
*photo of me in 1977 courtesy of my dad, Dennis Hepworth*