Happy Birthday to Me!!!

Usually, on my birthday, I switch off my phone. Yes. No calls, no texts, no BBMs, Whatsapps or whatever instant messaging service that's in use. No emails. NOTHING. I am cut off from the world for the better part of a day. I do not go online either.
Usually. For the past twelve odd years, that I have done. And on at least seven of my last birthdays, I have been "away" - mostly by design.
It is not that I do not celebrate my birthdays - I do - but not in the conventional way. I don't do cakes - I remember my then two-year old daughter looking around the dining area and living room and asking "Mummy, where is your birthday?" and me telling her that it was "birthday cake" and that Mummy didn't do birthday cakes. She gave me a measured stare, the only way a two-year old can, and told me in a very stern voice "Mummy, when it's MY birthday, you MUST do cake, okay?" and marched back upstairs with what I swear was a shake of her head, as if to say, "what a weird mama I've got!"
I do not do cakes on my birthday - I've got weight issues and so do not need another temptation added to my struggle.
I don't like commercial cakes either - too sweet.
I do not like being the focus of attention - I walked into the spa on Tuesday and the therapists congregated and burst into a "Happy Birthday" chorus. Luckily, only one other patron there who looked as amused as I was embarrassed! I was touched but still embarrassed.
I do not like "celebrations" either - for my 40th, my husband tried very hard to bully me into having a dinner party. I was 7 months pregnant and not in the mood for socializing (I am an antisocial person on the best of days!). I refused, he insisted. I had to resort to tears and sniffling, whining about how if he wanted me to remember my 40th birthday as a day of misery, then, fine, I'd agree to the party. That was the end of that! I spent that morning at Mass, followed by a visit to an orphanage where the money for the erstwhile dinner party went to much better use. Plus, I solicited, shamelessly too, for cash gifts from friends to be donated to that same orphanage. After that, I spent the rest of the day at home with my 16 month old daughter, my big stomach and some nice dodo and efo. Hubby came to join us after work. Nice, quiet and peaceful - my idea of a wonderful day.
And, for everyone's information, when I turn 50, I plan to be far, far

This year, I deviated a bit - I turned my regular phone on at about 11AM, though I did not speak to anyone other than family and almost family but on my "other" number! The calls and text on my regular phone I returned & responded to the following day.
I spent my day doing things I wanted to do, not things anyone EXPECTED me to do. I like my solitude, especially on my birthday, which for me is a day of thanksgiving, reflection and just taking time out to experience some inner peace and quiet.
Oh, I don't really want or expect gifts either - except, of course, it is $10Million (well, Naira will be just fine too - N10M isn't to be sniffed at either!). Imagine what I could do with that. You're probably thinking Chunky gold pieces, Designer bags and clothes, right? Wrong!! I'm thinking, scholarship funds, helping out orphanages and charitable causes. Of course I will keep some for me and mine, I'm no angel, but, quite a bit should and would go into making some people's lives better.
I can't change the world, but I can change a life, yes?

So, Happy Birthday to me. May God grant me the continued ability to NOT want the noise traditionally expected of birthday "celebrants" and the strength to harass many more people into giving me birthday gifts that can be used by those in need.

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