OK, I will go ahead and get this part out of the way - today is my birthday. However, I am writing this out of contemplation, not out of a desire to get attention (although I will make some confessions on this later). Why do we celebrate birthdays? I read the history on it and understand it was a pagan celebration and how various celebrations took place in Egypt and other places. There are stories about the origins of birthday cakes, the birthday song (written in 1893 by a couple of ladies who were school teachers I believe), and even how it is celebrated in other countries.
However, that is not what I mean when I ask "why do we celebrate birthdays?" For example, why do we throw a huge birthday party for a 1 year old? It's not for them as they obviously won't remember it and years later, won't even care that they have pictures of themselves buried in a cake. In this case, it is more about the friends and family coming together to remember the occasion. Why do we do that? What is it about a child's birthday, in which he doesn't understand nor will he remember, makes us want to celebrate? From that perspective, it's probably another way for parents to express their joy over their child and to show him/her off again.
As we get older, why do we celebrate? As little kids, birthday parties are so much fun and are a big deal to have fun with friends. Do birthday celebrations help with a child's identity and acceptance for later on in life? Is it a personality thing where some like the big parties and attention and some like it low key? Do celebrations of birthdays cause us to be more self-seeking and wanting attention on those days than other days? Is it ok that we feel that way? As adults, some still love the parties, celebration, and attention. And some prefer no attention at all to where they don't even want people to know when their birthday is. Is that because they were fulfilled enough as a child and had enough parties or they just have the personality where they don't want the attention?
I'll confess - I really like the attention. I don't want gifts and don't need a big party but I do like people to acknowledge my birthday. I really it when someone just tells me "Happy Birthday!" I don't want to have to tell someone it is my birthday to get attention. I guess I want to matter enough to people that they remember. And honestly, I feel a little down if people don't remember or if enough people don't remember. I always love it and know that my family remembers. Honestly, my wife and mom are the two best people in the world at making me feel special on that day. When a birthday comes, no matter what age or how low key the day is, I feel different. I can't help but feel different. I go from just an ordinary day to feeling like I want attention and need to be acknowledged. Is that normal? Is that selfish? Did I not get enough recognition growing up (I admit I didn't get much attention from friends and such for my birthday after the kid parties were over with)? Is this a personality thing? Why are birthdays celebrated and why do people deal with the occasion in different ways?
When my son came along, I said that I wanted his birthday be a day in which he serves or gives back to others. I want to instill in him an attitude of helping and giving back to others. Yet his dad's attitude is quite different. It's a reminder to me that I need to make this more about others as well. And probably not just on my birthday. However, it is my birthday and I like it to be acknowledged (without having to ask or remind someone). I just want to understand why I feel this way.
