September 04, 2005 - 4:53 p.m. What really excites me about birthday presents is the way that when I'm opening them, I can think to myself: This is for me! I don't have to covet this beautiful thing from a store rack or window. This is mine now, and I didn't have to do anything but be myself. Perhaps this is a little materialistic. Perhaps I should focus a little more on the fact that the giver wanted me to have it, but there is joy in new things. ...before & after...