Lost In Translation

I feel that the purpose of celebrating one’s birthday has gotten lost in translation. We wish others a happy birthday, buy them presents, or take them out for dinner because that’s what we have always done, because that’s what we are supposed to do. We never really stop and think why we celebrate birthdays.

Birthdays are the markers of one year passing, or getting one year older. Some would think that birthdays are a time to wish the following year to be a blessed one, while others would congratulate you on making it one more year without kicking the bucket. Or for all of those cynics out there, birthdays mark one more year closer to death. These are all good things to celebrate, I suppose, but I think my reasoning for celebrating out-stands them all.

I think of birthdays as the celebration of one’s birth You’re probably thinking to yourself, Well, DUH. But let me explain…

Birthdays are in celebration of the day someone was born, and birthdays are the celebration of the years they have been alive since that birth and the life which they have lived. Birthdays are meant to celebrate the person and the blessings they have had and the blessings which they are. Birthdays rejoice in the many talents and accomplishments of an individual and celebrate in advance the impacts yet to come. Birthdays not only celebrate the person themselves, but also the God who made them and gave them life. Birthdays are a celebration of life, love, and the pursuit of happiness.

Birthdays are about celebrating individuals, yes, but I think it is much more than that. You receive gifts on your birthday as a gesture of friends and family thanking you for who you are and what you have done in the world. I feel that this a wonderful thing, but I also find it sort of selfish. Birthdays are all about commemorating a life well lived, but the celebrations do no take into consideration the ones who helped to make it worth living. Birthdays should not only be about celebrating the life of an individual, but also should honor the ones who have helped the individual become the person they are.

I cannot celebrate my 21st birthday in the mindset that it is “my day,” when really, my birthday belongs to so many people. I cannot name individually all of the people who have impacted my life, but I can name a few:

First of all, my parents. Let me just state the obvious and say thanks for having me. (P.S. Sorry about the C-section, Mom. That must of been rough. But I am thankful you had me all the same!) And let me state the not-so-obvious and say thank you for raising me with all of the love and support you have for these 21 years. Thank you for being role models in every aspect of life. Thank you for making me into the person I am today, even though I can sometimes be a pain. I love you both more than I am able to express in both words and actions. You both are my heroes.

Seestors: You both are my everything. I know that sometimes we fight and I am obnoxious, but I love that we always make up and can go back to having fun. I look up to both of you immensely (yes, even you, Nicole, although technically you are still shorter than I). You two are the ones who keep me accountable and on the right track. Thank you for always being there for me and having my back. I am so blessed to be able to be so close with both of you, and I look forward to when I get to talk to you and see you. I love you both so much!!

Teachers/Bosses/Mentors: Thank you all for taking the time to invest in me. You have taught me so much about academics, working with students/kids/individuals, and life in general. Thank you for always encouraging me to be the best version of myself that I can be and to strive for goals you know I can obtain. Thank you for inspiring me to find my passion and pushing me to “pay it forward.” I owe a lot of who I want to become to all of you.

Friends: Each and every one of you has made an impact on my life, even if you do not realize it. Every interaction I have with you has helped me to grow, love, and has enriched my life in some way. Thank you all for taking the time to get to know me and allowing me to get to know you. Thank you for being the amazing people that you are and for blessing my life. I am the luckiest girl in the world to know all of you!

A great big thanks to every single one of you. I would not be the person I am today without your presence in my life and I thank you in advance for loving, supporting, and encouraging me into the person I will become. You all mean so much to me. Thank you for who you are! So really, I wish ALL OF YOU a very happy birthday!