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Thursday, December 27, 2007

A Happy Day..A Happy Birthday!

People say birthdays are about cakes, presents, and parties. I say partially true! I say birthdays are also about friends and about knowing who really cares. They are also about growing older, and hopefully wiser.

Yesterday, was one of those days for me. The day that comes once a year, and makes me wait all year for it. But yesterday was not an ordinary birthday for me. It was a revealing birthday, quite an introspective one. For the first time in XX years, I did not get a birthday present wrapped in colorful paper, with a cute little bow on it. Neither did I get any flowers that would make my jaw drop with awe and my eyes cry like a beauty contest winner. And yet, I remained unperturbed and experienced no shame in answering people when they asked me what I got for my birthday, much to my surprise.

When people asked me what I was doing or what big plans I had, my answer was "walking around in the malls and shopping". I could sense the disguised disappointment in some voices while some appeared nonchalant, unsuccessfully. And yet, I experienced no embarassment. In fact, I was amused. How could this be for I have always made a huge deal out of my birthdays!?

And then I realized that when I was being materialistic in the past, there was something amiss in my life, or so I thought. I had certain expectations of how a birthday "should" be, and how people around me celebrate their birthdays. In a futile attempt to fill that void, I pledged to have "happening" birthdays and wished for expensive presents that I could display with a smug demeanor. But yesterday, I was content. I was content with what I have in life, and content with what is to follow. Expensive presents, fancy restaurants, or apple-picking and wine-tasting activities would not have added to the joy (as it would have last year, and the year before that, and as far behind as I can remember).

Yesterday, I probably realized that I had grown wiser. I had no need to boast of the red silk top that I bought from New York and Company (which I did not) or the Christmas tree that I decorated (which I did not), or the number of birthday wishes I got on orkut within a couple hours of my birthday starting. I had no need to boast about how I am capable of winning the Miss Popularity contest. I had no need to show anything off to people who dont really care.

I was secure being who I am. I knew that the people who had my phone number and actually bothered to call or text message me, truly cared. I knew that the people who did not have my phone number, and actually bothered to write me an email, truly cared. I knew that my blogger friends, who had no access to any reminders, and sent me birthday messages, truly cared. I knew that I was loved. I knew then that my birthday was an eye-opener.

29 Words of Wisdom:

Ravi Kapoor said...

Hiya..

This is Ravi from Bollywood Buzz.

First of all..Belated Happy Birthday :)

Secondly..thanx a ton for visiting my site and leaving a comment on one of my article mam (daboo ratnani calendar).

It feels good to know that there is someone out there in this world who bothers to read what I write!

You've a nice blog here and now its added to my Google Reader..so now onwards I would be a reader of your content :)

Maybe I would learn something good here someday..

Take care!

Mansi Trivedi said...

We love you sooo much! :)
Now you better make plans for Detroit!
I know how you feel about birthdays because I had disgustingly high expectations for the big day and i ended up being the grumpy one, on my own birthday. my boss didnt wish me. i was by myself. but things that followed made up for all the things that were missing on my birthday.
ooh you have to go see P.S. i love you...very nice movie.. :)and cute irish men.

Pavi!!!! said...

B'lated Happy B'day Sneha!!! ....

U know...i so connect wit wat U've written....Its so much like me! I'm freakin...B'day obsessed...its almost like a incurable disease!!n for me its jus not the materialistic gifts that matter...but the num of ppl who wish me..definetly matters..a helluva lot!!I lov surprises...all thru' the day....n its never enuf...forget too much!!

Few more mths...n it'll be my B'day too ;-) yipppeee!!

ceedy said...

Its the Young's Modulus kinda syndrome applicable to life I guess.....
You have or are reaching your yield strength....
this surely is a very capri trait.....think a lot :) in every situation

A said...

Good to know that you were content on your birthday :-)

But how did you celebrate it??????? Kiya kya???????

A said...

And by the way....u too look so so cute :-)

Solitaire said...

@ Ravi. Aww. Thanks Ravi! The feeling is mutual!

@ Mansi. Detroit is long overdue. I understand how you feel. There have been times when I have not been alone on my birthday and have yet been grumpy because people did not do what I expected them to.

@ Pavi. OMG!! You and I both suffer from the same disease that I managed to control somewhat this year. BTW, when's your birthday?

@ Ceedy. Is it? I do think a LOT! And that is an understatement.

@ Anjuli. "Walked around malls and window-shopped". :) And ate sushi too!

ceedy said...

Oh yeah it is - I think about every moment of my life - shower is the best place - sometimes forget that I am under water :P -......and I know some other capris who do the same.

Havent you been ever told - stop thinking and just ENJOY the moment....

Sreerama said...

erm... belated wishes!!!

Deepali said...

Glad you have a revelation filled birthday :)

I actually hate bdays - getting calls is painful because it makes me realize that all these people who bothered - I havent bothered enough about them and have forgotten to wish so many in the past year.

I hate getting presents too - makes me feel pretty odd - that whole sense of 'I must repay this'.

Anyway I like how you put "For the first time in XX years"

IncorrigibleV said...

just got two things to say
beautiful picture...:)
and Happy Belated Birthday...hope u stay content and secure and happy all thru the yr :)

annie said...

Hehloz Sneha (just dicovered ur nameby readin other comments)..Belated happy birrrday dear! Thanks for those Hugsz u gave me (i badly need 'em at this hour of my life). And hey, u lovely looking gal..pretty u rock!

Solitaire said...

@ ceedy, I guess because we think a lot, we are able to write these blogs. What say?

@ sreerama..thanks!

@ deepali, really?? I make a big deal out of other people's birthdays too..sometimes much their chagrin!

@ vandita..thanks!! I hope so too!

@ annie, you are most welcome. since u r on my blogroll now, will visit you often to give you those hugs!

Pavi!!!! said...

My B'day is on the 5th of May..and 6th of May is inevitably the saddest day of the year for me;-)

n yeah....i make a helluva deal abt others' B'days too...some of 'em love it n some of them get toooo embarassed for comfort!

Impressionist said...

Well That was the best birthday in ur life i guess.
U have realised that birthdays are not just presents and partying! :)trust me when i say this, I never tell my birthday to anyone! :D since mom had underwent a brain surgery, she hardly remembers any birthdays!
Its usually just me with myself on my birthdays! altho a few really good friends remember the date and wish me! :D
Oh btw Belated Happy Birthday! :)
and yes, u canjavascript:void(0)
Publish Your Comment blogroll me. U dont have to ask! :D I will also do the same! :)

-Jeevy

maverick said...

@hey...belated happy bday....

thnx for visiting my site...n u gotta good blog going here :)...keep visiting :)

m.flowerr said...

Hey, belated birthday wishes!!

CT said...

belated happy b'day sneha!!

ceedy said...

Yes i agree - blogging has somehow expanded the horizons and i think one is able to meet like minded people - it can take the pressure out of daily life where no one really wants to listen to you babble :)....

btw - just wanted to say you have a cute smile :) (am not hitting on you by any chance - so if it offends I am sorry - just saying what i feel :)

divya said...

happy birthday!! and just to answer ur question ..no he doesn't cos i have no idea who he is

Unknown said...

belated happy birthday!! I am secret reader of your blog. I love them.. hats off to your thoughts...btw how old are you?? :p

Lena said...

Happy belated birthday!! :)
and you know thats exactly how i think about birthdays. You practically spoke my mind :)

Romila said...

How nice! A eye-opener birthday.
I guess, I just have to add in,

"You're not growing older,
you're just getting one year sexier"(hmm! sexy as in-this car is sexy, this food is sexy):)

Solitaire said...

@ pavi, will I be in your bad books if I forget your birthday?

@ jeevy, aww..when is your birthday??

@ maverick, you too!

@ m. flowerr, thanks!

@ chintan, thanks!!

Solitaire said...

@ ceedy, I guess reading psychobabble is better than hearing some psychobabble

@ divya, why not?

@ c, how old do you want me to be?

@ lena, when's your birthday?

@ romila, thanks!! sexy huh!!?

Unknown said...

Ideally around 25 give or take 2 yrs.. :) I accidently came across your blog and now a regular reader. Your blog really reflects lots of people's minds.

Pavi!!!! said...

Well Sneha.... U wldn't be in my bad books if u don't wish me...coz frankly...I never expected u to remember my B'day....its plain unfair :-).....

Havin said that...if u do remember to wish me...u wld be in my super-good books...coz..well..i love surprises n wld be super thrilled..that sum1 I least xpected thot of me on MY day :-)

PS : Enuf hints given i think ;-)

Pavi!!!! said...

kk..Here is a Q for all reading/commenting on this post....

What is ur fav age to be in..?? (with reasons if u please)

Mine is 25!coz its that age when u can be a child n adult..when ur taken seriously and yet can depend on others...when u can be goofy n preach!

Pavi!!!! said...

Tryin to get ur attention to sumthing!!!!!!!!!!!!