26

'Tis true; the novelty of a birthday begins to wear off as you get older. Or perhaps the idea of what a birthday is has been watered down over the years. It doesn't help when Facebook has become the new "card writing". It really makes a difference when you go the extra mile (which used to be the norm, really) to purchase a card and write on it — perhaps all the effort taken does oblige one to write something more than just 3 words — or perhaps all the effort is the expression love that one has for another. Everyone has been talking about the watering down of relationships due to social media. Sign out, and get out. But is anyone really doing anything about it? Maybe a campaign to revive the good ol' days where effort once meant something.



ed 2359hrs:

As I was doing an intimate, late night dinner with M, E + L the "fiancé-in-law-to-be", I thought to myself: They are the peers that God has blessed me with — people that I can be myself around — and feel safe. This is a friendship that has been in the works for 7 years and more now, and friendships no matter how much more intensified by proximity and regularity in a short span of time is just different from that which is tried and tested over a period of time. I am blessed.

And this card, given 2 hours after my lament above, is a card bought at least 10 years ago by E, wondering whom she'd actually be giving this to in future. How do I explain feeling humbled, privileged and joyful all at the same time to be receiving it? Deep friendships were something that I never were good at, and much less think that I could ever be anyone's best friend. I am blessed :')

I've always felt a bit awkward about birthdays (mine, at least), trying to stay away from the potential indulgence of gifts and cakes for the self. Well, it -is- a celebration and reminder of life gifted by the Giver yes, but I've come to realise how much the occasion of a birthday could also become a blessing to others — an opportunity for my family to share a lovely meal together; for my beloved school/ex-schoolmates to have an excuse to meet up for not one, but two suppers in a night; for my floormates of different nationalities and academic tracks to unite and sacrifice sleep to -really- surprise me in the early morning (creatively deviating from the midnight convention, I must add); for my coursemates to partake in a poignant meal; for me to share the cake Mommy lovingly baked to cheer others on; for dearest friends to meet up and sincerely enjoy each other's company... 

So thank you, you who poured out your love (be it virtually or physically) on lil' me this day. 

 And thank You, Lord, for community, and for showing me how we can edify one another in our lives — starting from our date of birth.

Birthdays really don't have to be insular occasions after all.

26, and I am blessed.