This time last year
Aunt: Happy Birthday, Tina! So, what´s planned for the day?
Me: Thank you so much! Ah…It´s just another day! And for some reason, I don´t think birthdays are all that much of a big deal anyway.
Aunt: Oh (in a tone of shock)! Well, birthdays are meant to be celebrated.
Me: I know…but I don´t know. I just don´t feel like celebrating you know…especially after Christmas, New Year, you know! It´s been too much party and fun for too long.
I did have a wonderful Birthday last year but I was too preoccupied with other things on my mind and plate to really focus on myself or anyone else for that matter. Besides, I didn´t see the big fuss over a birthday. Someone is born every second of the day in some part of the world. So what!
This time, this year
I still feel that birthdays are not that big a deal. But, this year I am in a very different frame of mind. For my birthday this year, I felt grateful and indebted for all the love, support and little blessings in my life. I felt this strong urge to give instead of just receiving. Giving as in going really all out to show my love and affection in the way I was most comfortable in.
2 weeks before my birthday
Hubby: Can I take Rs.XYZ from you?
Me: Sure. But please, don´t splurge it and especially don´t feel the need to buy me anything for my birthday. I have everything that I need anyway. (smiling contently)
Hubby: Huh (looking shell shocked and confused at the same time)! I didn´t even plan anything for your birthday. Gosh! Look at you making grand assumptions and …
Me: Sssshhhh! I´m telling you just in case you have a crazy urge to buy me anything, please don´t….
Husband: Okay! (grinning from ear to ear)
Close on the heels of my birthday, we chalked out how we wanted to celebrate the D-Day. I didn´t want to go out and eat in a fancy restaurant. Instead, I wanted a simple family gathering at home and wanted to cook and please everyone who meant the world to me. I tried to accommodate everyone´s favourite in my birthday lunch menu. Cooking for the entire family felt like balm to my soul.
Simple joys but rich dividends. In fact, the older I get, the stronger the urge to give more. More so, on my birthday! I feel this is not the time to act petty, be mean or grouchy.
Birthdays are a reminder of God´s love for us. He loved us so much that he brought us into this world and gave us this beautiful gift of life. I have a wonderful family that is not my doing at all. Whether it is my parents, siblings, spouse, in-laws or child, there is a higher power who entrusted me in the most perfect safety net. And for that alone, I am grateful and feel truly blessed. My birthday is a reminder for expressing my love and gratitude to people unabashedly – family, friends and not!
How do you celebrate birthdays? Please do let me know..I would love to hear a different take on birthdays.
Beautifully written!
Thank you so much, Savita! Glad you liked it! Keep reading and Cheers! 🙂
Hope you had a great day Tina. I love birthdays and blowing out the candles ( even though they’ve now grown to 60!). It is a special day that makes you feel special… My mom used to spoil us silly on our birthdays and I continue to do this with my family. I also tell everyone that I don’t want a present and am secretly thrilled when they do give me something ( even a home made card or the promise of a future treat that may or maynot happen). Be blessed and stay happy .
Thank you so much for the lovely words, BB! It´s so cute to know that you love all that tradition that comes with birthdays – song, cake, blowing out candles …says a lot about you. I love all that too ..the child in us just pops out on our birthdays. But, the adult in me wants to give and give now. Lol, for sure, more than the present per se, its the thought to bring something that´s precious. Either ways, Birthdays are a blessing and a time to count them and be grateful 🙂 Keep reading and a Happy 2018 to you and your family! Lots of Love and God Bless! 🙂
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Believe it or not, I like to spend my birthday at home and I make it a point to bake any one dessert for the celebration that everyone has picked to eat 🙂
Hope you had a fabulous birthday, Tina. Many hugs!!!
Thank you so much, Ashima! Its lovely to know that we have similar preferences when it comes to celebrating birthdays. Hugs and Muah, Ashima and a Happy 2018 to you and your family! 🙂
Birthdays used to excite me when I was a child but one fine day when I was in my teens, the magic wore off all of a sudden. I like spending time with people dearest to me, go for family dinner and splurge on myself on my birthday. Loved your way of looking at this Tina!
Thank you so much, Akshata! I find more joy in giving than in receiving of late! I dunno why…if its a sign of aging…rofl…I hope not…wiser hopefully..fingers crossed! I am like you that way…glad to know we share the same philosophy here 🙂 Muah and Hugs!