Birthday Boy!

It was some time during school. I was beaming that day. My friend wished me a happy birthday. He always had weird, fanciful ideas. “Well tell me, why we celebrate our birthdays, why party??” he asked.

“What do you mean?”

“No, what are you on a birthday, a year older? Is that why you celebrate? Aren’t you closer to the day you die?”

I saw the point, but went ahead and celebrated my birthday.

I obviously don’t remember my first birthday, but as usually is, I can tell from the photos that it was a big affair. Then on, wearing a casual dress in school, getting wrapped gifts, getting all the attention, it was all so much fun. Why would anyone need a reason? I find that some people always do need a reason. Not the most attractive way to live a life one might think, but they don’t seem to have an option.

Well, here’s the thing. Imagine being stuck on a lonely island on your birthday. Could you possibly feel happy just because you were told that some years back, you were born on this day?

On the day of your graduation, you celebrate because of the sense of achievement. On your wedding day, you celebrate because it’s the start of a new life. On an anniversary, you have fond memories of that day; you celebrate to keep it going.

Yes, the only reason that birthdays seem to make one happy is that other people know it’s your birthday. In my book, that’s reason enough. It is a reminder that you matter to the people around you, the way you are. They celebrate with you not because of something you have done. It’s just because you are with them, because they are happy to have you around.

I remember I used to find that friend of mine irritating, may be because I could never win an argument with him. We have lost a bit of touch now. Ironically, we usually talk or exchange messages twice a year, once on his birthday and the other on mine.

You might have had a horrible year, might have spent your time doing nothing worthwhile, but it’s the only day that’s completely YOURS. Stop looking for reasons.

Go ahead! Celebrate! And yes, call me to the party. J