Taking a Different Approach on Birthdays

Hello November! It's my birthday month, meaning that I'm a Scorpio, if you're into that sort of thing. One of the best traits about my zodiac sign is that I'm competitive and want to succeed in life. I love celebrating my birthday, which happens to be on November 13. In case you're curious how old I'll be. I'll be turning 38 years old. If you look at my profile picture on here, you must be thinking that I don't look my age and you're right. I've been mistaken for a high school student and a college student. I'm fine with that and looking youthful works to my advantage. You've heard the saying, "Black don't crack." It's another way of saying that black people don't show any signs of aging. As I near 40, I've since outgrown birthday parties. The last time I had a birthday party was at home after school and 14. Nearly 25 years later, someone throwing me a party, while the gesture is admirable and with good intent, I don't feel the need to dress up and attend my own party thrown by someone else. I turned 18 in 2005 and my friend at the time took me out to miniature golf, then had my birthday dinner at Olive Garden. Besides, who doesn't love their endless breadsticks? The staff surprised me with a chocolate cake. After that, my friend and I went to Best Buy, and I chose my first country CD. That album was Toby Keith's Honkytonk University. I couldn't wait to go home and listen to it. I wore that CD out on a daily basis, because no songs from that album were skippable. It was so good and had since fallen in love with country music. Unfortunately, I ended my friendship with my long-time friend and classmate in 2021 after nearly two decades, due to his anti-gay views. I came out to him in the summer of 2012, several months after I came out of the closet. We're no longer friends, but that was one of the best birthday memories I've ever had.

In the years since that moment, I would either cook something up for myself at home and have some cheesecake or treat myself by going out to eat, which was rare, due to high prices. If someone takes me out to a restaurant of my choice for my birthday, I'd still take them up on their offer. I'm also not opposed to someone having a little get-together for me on my birthday. Something small and simple with a few people in attendance. As far as birthday parties, especially large ones whenever I reach 40 or 50, that is yet to be unseen. I know they're huge milestones, but I'm unsure if I'm ready for something like that. For now, I like to celebrate my birthday annually with no complications. As far as gifts, most of the time, I buy whatever I want. Other times, co-workers gift me with the things I like. Gift or no gift, I'll always be grateful and blessed to see another year. You have to appreciate the small things in life, even if it's not much. I'm not ashamed to say this, but I thank God, my Lord up above, for being alive and being surrounded by wonderful people in my life.

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