Like many of my friends (and I’m obviously referring to my Jewish friends here, as the following words will prove), I had a bat mitzvah. While we didn’t opt for the tacky theme party route, my parents still managed to put together a lovely, three-day celebration, with out-of-town relatives invited over Friday evening (resulting in all sorts of strangers coming up to me, saying, “you don’t know me, but we’re related”, and then handing me envelopes with checks inside), Saturday morning services in the synagogue, followed by a reception at one of the local country clubs, guests at the house that evening, and brunch the next morning. Quite a weekend, to say the least.

I have to be honest. Given that it was (gulp) twenty-six years ago, I don’t remember it too well. I remember the bit about the checks (funny, that), I remember hating the photographer, who was far too intrusive for my liking, which resulted in many photos of me glaring (at least you couldn’t see my braces!), I remember my cousins trying to get me to drink screwdrivers, and I remember the candle lighting ceremony, which is when various important people in your life are called upon to come light one of the candles on the cake. More specifically, I remember my brother’s turn. For each person, the band played a different song, something, I suppose, that was considered appropriate for that person. My little brother was ten at the time. And he had a favorite song. It’s the only song that I remember from the entire ceremony, as it was so unlike the “Fiddler on the Roof” type songs played for everyone else. Whenever I feel like teasing my little brother today, I remind him of “our” song. I mean, seriously. Who wouldn’t turn a bit red being forced to remember that “Celebration” by Kool & The Gang was once their favorite song, right?

Celebration
Kool & The Gang

Yahoo! This is your celebration
Yahoo! This is your celebration

Celebrate good times, come on! (Let’s celebrate)
Celebrate good times, come on! (Let’s celebrate)

There’s a party goin’ on right here
A celebration to last throughout the years
So bring your good times, and your laughter too
We gonna celebrate your party with you

Come on now

Celebration
Let’s all celebrate and have a good time
Celebration
We gonna celebrate and have a good time

It’s time to come together
It’s up to you, what’s your pleasure

Everyone around the world
Come on!

Yahoo! It’s a celebration
Yahoo!

Celebrate good times, come on!
It’s a celebration
Celebrate good times, come on!
Let’s celebrate

We’re gonna have a good time tonight
Let’s celebrate, it’s all right
We’re gonna have a good time tonight
Let’s celebrate, it’s all right

Baby…

We’re gonna have a good time tonight (Ce-le-bra-tion)
Let’s celebrate, it’s all right
We’re gonna have a good time tonight (Ce-le-bra-tion)
Let’s celebrate, it’s all right

Yahoo!
Yahoo!

Celebrate good times, come on! (Let’s celebrate)
Celebrate good times, come on!
It’s a celebration!
Celebrate good times, come on! (Let’s celebrate)

Come on and celebrate, good times, tonight (Celebrate good times, come on!)
‘Cause everything’s gonna be all right
Let’s celebrate (Celebrate good times, come on)
(Let’s celebrate)…

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