BIRTHDAYS ARE FOR THANKSGIVING

And as it is written in the bible, Psalm 90:12;

“So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom”

 From time immemorial, the month of April, twelfth day precisely, happens to be the occasion of my birthday. Oftentimes I am overwhelmed with happiness. Then goes the habit of sharing edibles among my loved ones, which is to further mark the day.

 My upbringing having nothing to do with my annual tradition, my parent’s attitude to birthday celebrations clearly contrasts with mine. Quite vividly, I remembered my dad would intentionally make himself unavailable for you to wish him a happy birthday, let alone make merry. My mum isn’t any different. But on a personal note, I have come to see life from a different angle regarding the need to celebrate birthdays.

As life expectancy continues to shorten, the human race keeps getting busier, leaving no time for somber reflections. Our life goals isn’t achieved as easily as we had thought, our needs keeps getting insatiable, which makes us consider merrymaking on birthdays a sheer waste of time. But in one of Akon’s song, ghetto, the lyrics has it thus;

No need to cherish luxuries, ‘cuz everything comes and goes, even the life that we have is borrowed, cuz you’re not promised tomorrow. So live your life as if every day is gonna be your last………………..…”

Now, that’s a valid point.

To the religious sect that does not celebrate major life celebrations however, birthdays especially, I really do not know the rationale behind it, but if I may say, birthdays are necessary celebrations. It doesn't have to be elaborate, just a little merriment no matter how brief. Feel free to toast to a glass of water if that’s all you could afford, but at least be exceptionally happy, and thankful to the giver of life for seeing you through the last one year.

Remember, owing to the quest to make a footprint in life which gets so intense, we hardly remember to appreciate God. But like an auto-reminder of sort, a day had set itself aside for us to look back at how the last three hundred and sixty five (or six) days had been, and be thankful for living.

Take a look at the major life celebrations anyways;

·        Sure we were CHRISTENED a week after we made entrance into the world (in most cultural settings though). On that day, despite all the partying usually, we literarily had no ‘say’, as we were just some tiny little ‘flesh’ wrapped up in a shawl, looking helpless and sucked on mama’s breast all day, purportedly passed unto the clergy/priest who christened us.

·        Our WEDDING day wasn’t any different. Hope you know the day isn’t entirely just centered on the bride or groom. Such people as parents of lovers, their families, friends, bridal train and even the guest could also be involved in the decision making process.  You could even be overly protected, under the guise of being the centre of attraction. (Besides, not everyone would have the privilege of getting wedded anyways).

·        FUNERALS are the worse hit. Here, the reason why the ceremony is taking place is because someone must have kissed mother earth ‘goodbye’. The opinion of the corpse matters no longer. Save for a few individuals, who had penned their wishes, on how they wanted their burials done before their demise. Some wanted their body parts donated to science, some wants to be cremated; others wanted an instantaneous burial, never to be embalmed etc.

In all, birthdays are about the only life celebrations that are done, where and how we would want it done, with the celebrant actively involved, so why the dull moment?

The next birthday isn't guaranteed, (God owning our lives), so why can't I buy myself a very nice cake (oh!! I love cakes), drink my best wine (fruit wine of course), wear a new dress, dance real hard, be genuinely happy and of course thankful.

Mere mortal like me, created without my consent by God, who would take the life he gave me as he so pleases and at his appointed time.

Be that as it may, it’s the occasion of my birthday; I am happy and blessed to have witnessed another year.

Thanks for reading

It’s a happy birthday to me in 2018.