Birthday

Every few days, a certain Facebook 'friend' pops up on my feed, radiant with a different group of friends and different birthday cake/meals. I’ve watched him celebrate his January birthday well into February, transitioning seamlessly from pre-parties in early January to belated dinners this month.

I can’t help but wonder: where does he find these "friends"? Is he truly that popular, or is he just better at collecting social circles?  I know of several people like this—people whose birthday isn't a date, but a weeks and months.

Meanwhile, my own annual milestones mostly pass without significance — one dinner gathering perhaps.  Except for that ONE time when my colleague gathered a few others and surprised me with a 50th pre-birthday lunch, a cake and cute props which I was forced to take photos with in the crowded restaurant. 

Earlier in facing my 50th, I had planned a solo trip away. I fled to the Maldives alone, hiding away from the reality that no one else would be celebrating a 'Big 50' for/with me.  The day itself was just a few WhatsApp pings—no calls, no fanfare, as usual. But the hospitality of strangers filled the gap.  The hotel staff brought out a cake and sang for me at dinner. When I returned to my room, I found simple decor on the bed, a bottle of wine, and a fruit basket. I had to travel thousands of miles and pay for a luxury resort to receive a celebratory gesture. 

Watching that Facebook friend bask in two months of adoration makes me wonder if there is some invisible social currency I’m missing— Is there something inherently uncelebratable about me?  

 ... to be continued ...