Birthdays...some of us don't celebrate birthdays (I'm one of them). When I was a kid I use to share my birthday celebrations with my elder brother whose birth date falls the day after. Then somehow we just stopped. It started when I was still in elementary school when my parents decided that early December is a time to travel. Either to the neighboring countries or to the province. So on my 10th birthday I was preparing for a short trip to Australia, then the next year it was Fiji, then the year after that. For the next 10 years I was always either on a plane, a ship or with some other families on my birthday. When I turn 18th I was with my Netball team competing in a tournament in one of the neighboring Islands. When I turn 19th I was on board a overnight ship heading to my fathers province. When I was 20th I was helping my mother (again in my fathers province) making her vegetable garden, I didn't realise it was my birthday when she suddenly dropped her gardening tools and hugged me tight. She then sent me home not sure what for because there was no one waiting for me at home.
Then I came to Japan and we have this dormitory tradition of celebrating birthdays together in the lobby at 12:01am. I always have an excuse not to attend. I just develop this dislike for birthday parties. I don't attend parties for people I'm not BFFs with and I have all these rules regarding a birthday.
When my birthday came I was relieved that no one knew except the dormitory guard. I was pleased, I hate all the fuss and attention in a birthday party. I hate presents because it costs people money and since I'm a very picky person I rather they don't waste money on me because I might not like it at all.
So yeah every year there was this fight when it comes to birthdays and I was glad that my friends respected that. Just last year it was my first birthday with my current boyfriend, he was talking about it a month before and it kinda pissed me off but because we were still in the early stages of our relationship I didn't say anything. That day my friends decided to hell with her and lets meet up and celebrate her birthday. So I had no choice but then it turned out fine. We had lunch and went around sight seeing then I went home. I went out with my boyfriend for dinner and he bought me this stuffed animal as a present. Which to my surprise I loved it and it wasn't that bad at all.
This year I decided to stop dreading birthdays but just go along with it. I even made my favourite cake for myself, soak myself in all the attention I received and wow! its something new. Which made me realise one day I will have a kid and that kid will wonder why there are no birthday parties in the house.
So if you feel like birthdays are just for kids and that you don't celebrate it. I think its time we all should, either sit down and reflect on your life or think about your mum and if you can spend the day with her. I'm sure shes also thinking about the first time the nurse put you in her arms. Or your father, who patiently wait for your arrival. Most of all your creator, thank him for all that he has done for you and the greatest gift that he gave you: the gift of life.
Whatever you do on your birthday just soak in all the attention you receive, you deserve it.
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