Quite a few cultures don't do anything of that sort. Some few million people have no concept of what it means to be "one year older". In fact, it might be quite sensible to not concern oneself with how old one is in terms of years. After all turning 12, or 18, or 30, or 75 seems to be a quite different experience for everyone. People affirm to each other things like: "You are as old as you feel",and yet in a culture like ours the knowledge of which one, one is currently doing, gives rise to lots of stress and even depression due to all kinds of silly folklore attached to the increase of the these numbers. If you ever checked the Hallmark section for Birthday cards for people doing the 50+ thing, you will probably have encountered the an amazing barrage of the most sarcastic, insulting and down-right degrading ways of telling someone "It’s your special day!".
All that aside, I can't help, wanting to make this ONE day, the 24 hours of life, which are unfolding as we speak, into a very, very special celebration. It is not just because a technicality demands that a very special person, can proudly announce a higher number, when being prompted for her age (Even though the fact that she completed another rotation around the sun a journey of roughly 150.000.000 miles is quite an accomplishment.) It is because this person is the most special other I have found in all this Universe (In which, btw. I also travel the distance of 150.000.000 miles per year, so don't tell me I haven't seen a lot of stuff).
It's because- as it is - I cannot express in a single days time, all my appreciation for what it means to me, that she endeavored in this miracle called life right by my side. She cannot possibly know how happy she makes my life, how much her being by my side, changes me day by day, into more and more complete appreciating simply being alive at her side. How her presence, devours my selfishness and eradicates my ego. How something inside her opens my eyes to what some people call God, and others enlightenment. How my life would be nothing like what it is, if she wasn't right here, alive, aging, traveling around the sun, in flesh and blood.
I hope she forgives me for never succeeding very well, in creating a worthy celebration. I am trying, and maybe someday, I'll learn.:)
Happy Birthday My darling!!
Love Always,
Your husband
And now open the stage for Ambers perfect rendition of a not entirely perfect Birthday morning!
Dear C.C,
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!
This is a picture of your birthday this morning. I hope that you liked the presents! I also hope that you have an ultra fun Birthday sista! I love you very much and thank you for always being nice to me and helping me with everything.
Love, Amber!
