So yesterday I found myself in the middle of a discussion I’ve
had several times over with too many people. Someone asked when my birthday is
and I replied “are you going to celebrate for me?” Before anyone can even try
to have an open dialogue on this debate with me; a question must first be
answered within oneself. Who are birthday celebrations actually for? See in my new unit we are able to have our birthday off if I so choose. To me, this is simple. Stay out of work and do whatever I want…I
don’t have to do anything in advanced in order to utilize this “special day”.
With this said what’s special? Depending on how you answer changes a
way of thinking. I've had REAL arguments with MANY people
over something soooo simple. So, I will explain my opinion on the matter and
you do with it what you will.
Are they for the parent? If it’s for parent’s then that’s a bit more
understandable. They brought a child into this world. The child has survived
another year. They’ve been instilled with enough knowledge to make it to
make it this far without dying. They also get to see what their offspring has
turned out to be, what support they could use and appreciate good qualities.
Cheers to those parents who should have and do have a reason to celebrate it.
Are they for me? People ask me how I’m doing all the time. All
the time I reply “I woke up". People don’t realize I appreciate
waking up each morning because I know someone didn’t, life is short, and not to
even take that for granted. I’m an introvert. Saying “it’s
your birthday you have to do something” doesn’t help with the social pressure/expectation of being excited. If
it’s my birthday…I don’t want to take the time to think about what I want to get from others,
or what I want to do with someone else. I don’t want to do set-up and preparations for any such “celebrational" event (dinner, party or otherwise). Let’s go out to dinner…for the 60th
year in a row. Let’s blow out candles…for the millionth time. Even IF someone
else takes the time to sit and plan out a celebration for this day I
then am obligated to doing what someone ELSE has wanted and planned for me…for
me. If that’s not a true statement then I guess I’ll never get anywhere in that discussion. With this I should be able to do what I want on my birthday…right?
How about I don’t make any plans…figure
it out as the day goes? True fact: One birthday, I drove and I spent the first half of
the day, in a courtroom, an hour away, with someone I cared about. I enjoyed that day. If someone is going to plan something, that I’m going to
subject myself to; be creative with something truly out of the ordinary that you
know I’ll appreciate. My perfect birthday idea is the simplest idea for a
birthday…but difficult to put together. I’ve spoken it out loud…one time.
Are they for friends? Short and simple: If it’s to celebrate
our friendship and appreciating each other’s bond…can we have a “friend-a-versary”
instead and just pick a random day.
Last year, I worked a double. Only two people knew it was my
birthday. Someone else again flipped out
that I “threw away” a cookie skillet at work (I didn’t it was yummy). In between
shifts I went to Riverbend park, and walked around the trails. After work I ate
dinner and went to bed to catch up on some quality sleep. This year...I DON"T know what I'm going to do before I decide to do it.
I hope most can read this factually rather than me being a “depressed
Debbie-downing-fun-sucker.” I truly appreciate
the thoughts, love, and kindness that family show; BUT I’m not special in my
own eyes. Someone else’s birthday is also today, and someone else will have one
tomorrow…and the world will keep on turning. I’ll celebrate someone else’s
birthday, with them, if they to want to celebrate. Fully enjoyed my friend Jon's birthday on the water and just being there with loved one's. I don't like the fact that every year there's at least one person who brings up the topic of my birthday. Then upon making my opinion known, I end up having to defend my own viewpoint because someone has an issue with it; yet it has ZERO effect on them anyway. It's my opinion not stated as anything other than that...I shouldn't have to defend this opinion any further. This year it happens to be someone at work...who will it be next year?
