Birthdays

28th April. Definitely my favourite day of the year, you have one guess why?

Naturally that particular day when you "become" a year older can be acknowledged in one of two ways (ok probably more than two but more than two doesn't flow right so let's not be pedantic ok?) Anyways THE Birthday is categorically the highlight of the year for many and for the rest a 24 hours worth avoiding at all costs.

Those of us in the first group love spending a day with people throwing cards, presents and hugs at you from every which way. People you barely know congratulate you on your annual achievement and the day is punctuated by rapid consumption of cake, chocolate, cake and many other treats. I think that all birthdays are worth celebrating because it means everyone has a whole day designated to being spoiled, appreciated and made to feel special. Plus I've established that cake is yummy.

Others hide from their birthday like the bogey monster, skulking around, avoiding people who may or may not jump out at them armed with birthday banners and the horrors of the "surprise party". - Firstly these never seem to stay secret so the honouree is forced to squeeze out an insincere and overly melodramatic "oh wow I had NO idea!". Secondly someone who doesn't want to celebrate their birthday doesn't want to be forced to celebrate either; returning home to a house full of people sitting in the dark waiting to scare the bejeezers out of them by jumping and shouting as they walk through the door. (I'll admit I may just be bitter about the whole concept, having never been the victim of a surprise party myself, which, as a "birthday enthusiast" I would love.) Anyway what I'm wondering whilst I wrap presents for one of my best friends (hopefully she's reading this...Livi I hope you love what I got you) is why do so many people have such a strong attitude towards birthdays? Whether you love and celebrate them? Or resent the marking of another year over, why does it bother us so much on this day?

Young people counting down the days (not suggesting older generations never get excited over birthdays...its just that excitement for ageing seems to diminish rapidly after about 21) why not celebrate everyday? or on your half birthday too? I'm interested to figure out why the day marking an event that we had no control over is so profound in our lives. The best I can come up with is that a birthday is the only certain, reliable thing in life. Your birthday will never change and is not up for interpretation from a variety of perspectives, it merely represents the moment when the world went from one without you to one where you exist...my head hurts.

Many a conversation, particularly at school, has been based on "my birthday is in x days" followed by jealousy either that so-and-so can learn to drive in November one year and such-and-such has to wait till July the next year. There are a few age "milestones" which make a difference, you hit double digits, become a teenager, learn to drive, are allowed to vote (drinking is legal but you were drinking way before this anyway...) and then you become a fully fledged adult - 21 seems to be a big deal but I can't figure out why, suggestions? So these all happen in the first 1/5th of an average life (ish) and then what? Despite the many fantastic things yet to happen, age seems to matter so much more when you are still officially "growing up" In itself that is a ridiculous notion because who ever fully grows up or even stops growing up? granted it slows down a little but surely "getting old" is just a synonym.

If age is just a number then birthdays are arithmetic: what a way to suck the magic out of my favourite day of every year. Perhaps age is just a number, but birthdays are a celebration of your life so far. If you really think about it life could go on perfectly fine without knowing how old you are, the only use of age is categorisation and identification of people. To anyone reading who plays the numbers game "I'm 29 and 12 months old" "this is the first anniversary of my 39th birthday" just take a minute to remember how much fun it was to count down until birthday time, and how much fun the last x number of years have been. Your age absolutely does not matter, we're getting older every split second but we don't mark it or give ourselves time limits this way. (that would be very silly of course but you gotta love the silliness)

I have an inkling that I could write my way round in circles all night with this and I'm sitting in a very uncomfortable chair, so I'll attempt to wrap this up. Firstly enjoy every second of the day that is dedicated to you each year. Demand that those around you pay full attention and treat you like the Queen of Sheba. Secondly remember that the central reason for young people counting down days and months to their birthday is because it marks some new kind of freedom be it learning to drive or suffrage, so as soon as you've passed all these "milestones" revel in the ultimate freedom to being an "official adult" whilst acting like the kid that is inside all of us.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LIV :)

P.S. go online and figure out how many days old you are, all kinds of fun and everyone is invited to celebrate my 7000 day birthday on 27th June 2012 :)