Happy Birthday

A greeting cast to someone as an obligation? Sometimes to greet a friend because it's the thing to do. 'Happy birthday' is said these days, but often left so empty. Yes, it's been the birthday greeting since you can remember, but do you realize what you're saying when you wish someone a 'happy birthday'?

I don't see happy birthday as a simple hello, one day a year.

I do not take those words lightly.

Happy birthday is wishing someone well on their birthday. It's a celebration of life. You are celebrating someone being born, and so, in essence, celebrating them being alive. Suicide is the leading cause of death in 16-25 year-old's in the United States, and the third leading cause of death in 16-25 year-old's in the United Kingdom. If I wish you a happy birthday, I'm telling you that I am glad you are alive.

I used to hate my birthday. I didn't have a reason, I just started hating my birthday after I turned 11. For so long I used to dread my birthday, hope people would forget it. I think I hoped people would forget me. and for the past few years, since I was 14, something disastrous has happened on or around my birthday. I dread my birthday these days for what it might bring. Even now I don't remind my friends when my birthday is coming up, partly for luck's sake, partly to see if anyone cares enough to remember (which I know is mad, especially coming from me as, if any of you know me, I have the worst memory you could imagine). I no longer despise my birthday- if someone wishes me happy birthday, whether they see deeper meaning in that greeting or not, I know that someone, somewhere appreciates my life just that little bit to acknowledge that yes, I am alive. My arrival apparently has a bad effect on the world. But I don't care, because recently I've come to realize the importance of birthdays; hence this blog post.

I have been meaning to write this post for about 6 months, but I keep putting it off because I can't find the right words- even though I write them in every birthday card I send. Birthdays are such a massive deal- you were born on this day a year ago; 10 years ago; 18, 21, 30, 80 years ago; you made it!

You

        are

              alive.

And it is so important that you are. Because every time someone says 'happy birthday' to you, whether you realize it or not, they're congratulating you. They are thanking you.

Thank you for being in my life.

Thank you for being born.

Thank you for being alive.

We are all living stories. You must not give up.

Happy birthday, my friend.

"It is an honour being a character in your story"