Special Days

My special days do not expire, how about yours?

When a 1year old baby cries and screams at all new faces in its birthday party, parents feel very special about that day. Even though it is tiring they enjoy celebrating the 1^st birthday of their baby. Once the baby stops crying and starts enjoying these days, we are being told “what is so special about this year? You grew a year old, everyone does”. Slowly special feeling of the day comes to an end and you start to feel “what is the big deal of celebrating getting older?”

 I feel special about all my special days. Not because I had a different upbringing, but I learnt celebration is not about getting old, it is about adding life to life. I never had a birthday with party games and return gifts, nor my parents believed in planning surprise parties or fancy expensive gifts and I never had an opportunity to even celebrate it in my school since it was always during vacation. When I grew up my dad never even wanted someone to wish him “happy birthday”. He started accepting wishes after he had a granddaughter because in this generation birthdays are really made a huge celebration for kids. Parents want their kids to know that they are special. Each generation has evolved and has unique experience which they treasure. Letting the kids know they are special adds an unseen responsibility of making them understand that parents are special too. Teach them to show you how special you are to them on your special days.

We hear and read all over social media about remembering dates as a tedious task. But have you ever thought why should you force someone else to remember your special day? Special days are not an exam nor a competition. Special days are opportunities which knock your door every year and reminds you to celebrate the life and relationships you have. These opportunities don’t knock with age bar nor knock harder for a 5year old and knock softer for a 30year old. Its we who differentiate this opportunity based on how much responsibility has occupied our mind. More responsibilities, feeble is the sound and lesser the responsibilities we make sure the knock is heard by everyone.

We live our present working towards planning to make our future better than our yesterday. Focusing on the future at times makes us miss our present. One day in a year is not much to ask for ourselves. What brings smile on our face is the memories of our past. Special days gives us a chance to make more of such memories which adds smile into our future. Materialistic comfort gives us a place to sit, and emotional comfort gives us a reason to sit. Kindle your life with your loved ones by reminding them and giving them opportunity to be part of your special days.

My daughter starts on the first day of the month saying, “its my birthday month” when her birthday is on 28^th of the month. She never lets us forget. But as we grow old we forget that there is nothing wrong in reminding someone about your birthday. My friend is very bad at remembering dates, so I call her on my birthday and ask her to wish me. If I want someone to wish me, the responsibility is with me and not the other person. She feels safe of not missing on my special days because she knows I will not let that happen and over the years now she remembers all the months of special days in my life. When we don’t strain our brain, there is no burden on the relationship. I have experienced the joy of calling her and asking her to wish me on my birthday. The conversation is amazing. The love is unconditional. The wish is pure from the heart.

Special days are a gift given to us to smile, laugh, enjoy and create new memories. None of these come with a price tag and fade away with time. If you want your loved ones to be part of your special day remind them and ask them to be with you. Waiting for someone to plan and get disappointed because they forgot or over did something and did not meet your expectation reduces a day in your life. Instead add life to your days which will add days to your life as a return gift.

Recharge your life with positivity and don’t wait for someone else to do that for you. You might forget what gift you got for your last birthday but you will always remember how you felt on your special day.
Don’t let your age decide how you should celebrate.
Don’t let your budget decide how happy you should be.
Don’t let others memory decide how many wishes you want.
My special day will be special when I share it openly and not wait secretly for someone else to make it special for me. Don’t put an expiry date to celebrate your special day.

What expires may not be special. What is special will never expire.