'I Forgot Day': July 2nd Is a Day to Remember Birthdays, Anniversaries

July 2, 2009— -- We're surrounded by calendars: on our walls, in our blackberries and on our computers. But even with all of these reminders -- even with the electronic alarms -- we still forget.

Birthdays go unacknowledged, anniversaries pass us by, and some holidays (like Valentine's Day) seem to sneak up, catching us without so much as a box of chocolates. Today, ironically, is another one of those holidays that you'll probably forget: July 2 is "I Forgot Day."

Creator Gaye Anderson, 62, would like to tell you when it all started, but, well … she forgot.

"It probably had to be 10 years ago … it's been well over five," Anderson said. "I just went through a particularly forgetful period -- I had a heavy workload doing student service work, as well as teaching, and things were slipping by -- my daughter's anniversary, my daughter's birthday … my anniversary. Our anniversary was April 26th and I always think 4-24 instead of 4-26."

Soon thereafter, "I Forgot Day" was born. Anderson says it's not just a day for occasions you have already forgotten, it's also helpful for those events you think you might forget in the future.

'Every Year I Get E-Mails From Senior Citizen Homes'

Most people probably haven't heard of "I Forgot Day," or many of the other holidays mentioned in Chase's Calendar of Events. For example, coming up later this month there's National Ice Cream Day on July 19 -- it's on a Sunday (to promote sundaes). And then there's Rat-Catchers Day on July 22, a day to recognize the folks who catch and exterminate rats.

But "I Forgot Day" is one everyone can relate to.

"My theory is since the population is aging more and more of us are getting forgetful," Anderson said. "Every year I get e-mails from senior citizen homes -- they say they're going to do some events [on 'I Forgot Day']."

Send a Card on 'I Forgot Day'

When Anderson first conceived of the idea at the Granger, Ind., branch of Davenport University, where Anderson currently works as a student advisor, the Dean and students celebrated the new holiday with cake and cookies. But perhaps the best way to celebrate is to send a letter.

As an extra precaution Anderson recommends sending everyone a "forget card" today, because then, if "you forget their birthday in December you're covered."

Online greeting card companies such as 123greetings.com and BlueMountain.com feature e-cards for various holidays throughout the year, including "I Forgot Day." So if you need to make amends, today's the day to do it: just follow this simple form letter and ingratiate yourself to your wronged loved one.

Please forgive me for having forgotten to acknowledge your [birthday, anniversary, graduation, etc] this year! It was thoughtless of me to have missed such an important event, and I'd like to make it up to you by [baking some cookies, buying you a drink, writing you a poem].

In my case, being forgetful is [part of my charm, especially unusual, an all-too-common occurrence] but know that [you're in my thoughts, I care for you more than life itself, I adore you] and I can hardly wait to [celebrate with you, acknowledge your special day in style] … next year.

[With much love, in all sincerity, yours truly…]

[Your name]

p.s. Also, thanks for the [birthday, anniversary, graduation] gift. I forgot to send a thank you card this year, but it was really great! Exactly what I [needed, wanted, was too cheap to buy for myself].