Yep!
Birthdays are a really big deal to me. Matter of fact, I always make noise
about mine once I step into the month of May J
…
I
always spark something special to tick that date. It is either I am throwing a
party, chilling out with friends or buying something really pretty for myself…
Or sometimes, a bit of all. This brings to mind the vivid memories of my eigth
birthday. I kept telling my mum I wanted a party, but she was quiet about it. I
can’t remember if I knew if the import of her silence meant no or if I felt she
was planning something for me. Well, I went ahead and told all my friends within
the neighborhood and out that it was my birthday, and I was having a party. My
mum came home that afternoon to see the house filled with children. LOL… She had
no choice than to order drinks and snacks to serve my guests, and I got my
party! That’s how bad it is J
My
birthday this year was different. As May’s wind blew by, I felt indifferent
about its 10th – my day. This was going to be my first birthday
without my dad. He was never good at remembering birthdays, but as a child, I
always sang it to him and got a gift from him.
He wasn’t in town on my 21st birthday, but my mum reminded
him. He called that day wished me a happy birthday and asked what my plans were
for the New Year. I told him I was 21 and ‘So I’m moving out of the house!’ That
sure made him laugh real hard. He still made fun of it when he came home the
following weekend. I should mention here that it’s a tradition in my family to
wake the celebrant up by 12am and sing a birthday song to them. On my 22nd,
Dad was around and sang to me with the rest of the family.
My
birthday last year is one I would always remember. Dad was far away. He called
me that beautiful morning and gave me loads of advice, without a birthday wish.
Just as he was about to end the call, I was like ‘Daddy is that all you have to
tell me?’ He was genuinely confused and asked if there was something else. I
told him it was my birthday! He apologized for his forgetfulness and said his
spirit just led him to me that morning. He had felt the urge to call me. He then
wished me a happy birthday. I don’t know why, but that made me smile all
through the day and for a long time afterwards...
Maybe
it was because it was Dad’s final ‘Happy Birthday’… Hmm.
This
year I knew was going to be different, and I told myself I wasn’t going to mark
the day. By 12am, I lay on my bed and cried my heart out. I knew dad wouldn’t
join in the singing that would usher me into my unique ‘New Year’ this time or
any other for the rest of my days on earth. I dozed a bit…
By
5am mum (God keep and bless her) woke me up and prayed for me. It was soothing.
Now, trust me, there’s nothing greater than a praying mum.
I
had some training that day but there were a few morning rituals to fulfill
which I ‘conquered’. I enjoyed seeing my pretty face on bbm as so many peoples display picture, Was loving the Facebook and Twitter love (don’t we all?).
Next thing, my telephone network provider (MTN) decided to mess up! In the
process of swapping SIM cards, I lost everything on my Black Berry from
contacts to pictures, videos and also songs. What a birthday present! Yuck! The
tears came to my eyes and I could feel their banks nearly flooding. I felt like
crying. Mercifully, I didn’t and got my BB fixed by my friend Bob the geek J
I
teased my friend Hembie and asked her to throw me a surprise party. Deep down I
told myself I wasn’t going to do anything near celebrating no matter what. I
was rebelling. I wanted to mourn my dad. Whenever anyone asked where it was
happening (in usual recognition of the yearly bash), I looked them straight in
the eye and said ‘NOWHERE! I’m not doing anything!’ The look of surprise was
always there. That strangely made me feel good and in control.
The
training finished really early that day, I decided to drop by the office and
that’s how a lovely day began to unfold. My friend Doosuur Waghbo dropped by
and gave me some very lovely cupcakes. Precious also got me a very lovely
massive birthday cake with my name on it. Good gracious, I was overwhelmed and
felt special. The calls kept coming in, and not surprisingly, they all kept
asking where it was going down. I was obstinate at first refusing anything
would happen but at some point, I had to take a minute to rethink things. I
thought to myself and wondered who I was fooling. Daddy would want me to
celebrate, he would want me to choose life over death, he would want me to
celebrate being a year older and be happy. [Plus who could resist the call of
life!] I then passed by the bank withdrew some lil money and called my friends
to hook up at Sofa Lounge by 7pm.
On
getting home, I met my sister Annie (God bless her lovely soul). She gave me
this really cute shoes as a gift, I was shocked and so excited not just because
the shoes were pretty, but because my sister isn’t exactly a gift kind of
person. I was moved that she’d go out of her way just to make me smile. Just as
we sat gisting, friends started to drop by. First was Drew, next was Mimi with
a perfume (Burberry sports) for me. Hembie came in with another huge birthday
cake and then Bob with a bottle of an expensive fine wine J. Hembie was the architect who had put
it all together. She brought them all together, for me. I got my surprise party
after all. Lol… love that silly girl. Wow!
I refreshed
a bit and got dressed. We headed out to Sofa Lounge. Mimi insisted I wear a
short dress and heels when I wanted to settle for flats *sigh* they were on a
mission to make me have a lovely day, and I just had to obey.
Then
we got to Sofa Lounge, all my peoples were there, Semag, Kuranen, Member, Kwinny,
Nkem, Myque, Oketa, Napoleon,Echi, Funmi and Doo Ukih (who gave a pretty collar
chain there).
We
all drank, ate, danced and sang (and gosh did we sing! It was a Karaoke night).
When
it was time to head home, my friends all pulled a Voltron on me and ended up
paying the bill for the evening. I went back home with the money I withdrew
from the bank, and even a little extra from their voltron act J
On
getting home, Hembie sent me a voice note which I listened to before sleeping. It
was a little prayer. What a way to end a perfect day, I told myself, as I
stepped into dream land.
So,
my birthday this year on which I planned to mourn all day turned out to be my bestest ever yet. I got lots of gifts
and love, thanks to my lovely friends and incredible family. There were even
those out there praying for me – thanks. I really think that in all times, we
need them – family and friends. We need people. And yes, we should celebrate
life more for who knows where the next second would leave us?
THANK
YOU GUYS SO MUCH AND GOD BLESS YOU ALL. *muaaah*
P.S:
And yes of course, I am already waiting next year’s… See ya!
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