Can You Ever Forget Your Birthday?

No, I can't.

(By the way, today (the day I wrote this) is not my birthday. I'm not fishing for wishes here (not that you can't wish me when it's actually my birthday :D)

As a kid, I always did make a fuss about my birthday. Of course, I was a kid and presents, parties and cake were expected somewhat on anyone's birthdays, right?

However, I see a 360 degree turn in some adults. Birthdays are just like any other day in the year; in fact, many hardworking adults forget their own birthdays. Instead, they remember other's birthdays very well, especially younger folks (i.e their kids).

It looks really noble and selfless to forget one's birthday. Is it really so? Well, I don't know.

No matter how hard I try I find it hard to forget when I was born. Here's why.

The main external reason is that other people will somewhat remind me about it, by asking me questions like "when's your birthday" and "what do you want for your birthday". How to forget when other people are asking you about it?

The internal reason, perhaps a stronger motivation for not forgetting birthdays, is because birthdays are generally seen as "your day". It's a day where I will somewhat feel special, like the day belongs to me (even though it's actually just like any other day) and where I somewhat feel entitled to more attention than usual and better treatment than any other day in the year. In a nutshell, I feel celebrated on my birthday. Do you?

Perhaps that's why I get a little annoyed when people close to me forget to wish me - have you forgot to wish someone close to you? Perhaps that's why I also try my level best to wish friends and family so that they don't have to wonder if I remember them, and to show that they are important to me.

But because adults (especially those with families) want to celebrate others, such as spouse, kids, parents (birthdays when elderly, like my grandma's 80th celebration earlier this year, are really meaningful because not many live to old age) and close friends. Therefore, my theory (so-called) is that people are busy celebrating each other that they don't think of celebrating their own selves (which I have this nagging feeling that that should be the way to go)

From another angle, birthdays are thank-full days. On the day I was born I thank God for creating me and giving me purpose in life; thank my parents for bringing me into this world and taking care of me; thank friends and family for being at my side, regardless of whether they wish me (didn't wish doesn't mean forgotten or not important to me. I used to think like that some years back and it made me pretty depressed whenever it was my birthday - what an irony right,when birthdays are supposed to be happy occasions?)

And unlike when I was 7, I've stopped expecting celebrations and hoo-ha over my birthday. If there are any presents or celebrations, I am thankful for them, if there is none, well, it's not the end of the world.

However, I admit that I do get a teeny-bit envious whenever some kids celebrate birthdays in front of other people, especially in school, because I do wish that I was celebrated like that in school at times. But I guess I'm getting over it; in fact when I see people celebrating I look at them for inspiration to surprise my friends (there was once I saw a girl buy sushi platters instead of cake for her celebration...)

In conclusion, I can't forget my birthday - for now at least. And I shouldn't make such a big deal about either remembering it or forgetting it; just enjoy it and be grateful for it. :)

Image taken from here.