Birthdays are rare
They come once a year

Unique Birthday: A set of Eights!

Ah, it’s today—the 8th day of the 8th month of the year 2020. I usually write poems or stories to celebrate, but this year’s birthday is unique. So instead of a poem, I’ll muse about the actual numbers that made my birthdate special.

How do I feel?

‘So how does it feel to be a year older?’ a close friend had asked me over the phone. I knew it was a rhetorical question meant to reflect on what I’ve done with my time and self since the last birthday. Normally, I would have said I felt nothing, since the question focused on me. Personal achievements are not a yardstick to measure overall success.

‘I feel special. I feel alive. I feel fulfilled, and I hope for better things to come, not just for me but for every good person.’ This is what I feel, at least over the past few months—the year 2020 has been a tough one. It brought death, disease, drought, and artificial disaster. Poverty is still at large. Many lost loved ones. I lost a sister, an uncle, and some relatives and friends. The lessons I picked broke the mirror called self. I began volunteering online for charities, foundations, and organizations. This threw me out of my introvert shell. I met great people who had become a strong network. The opportunities I sought before the pandemic came calling, and I grabbed them with both hands. I’m glad to be helping other people with my talents, no matter how little. That’s what I count as real achievement.

So I won’t dwell or reflect on my personal success. If I do, I’ll say I achieved very little this past year.

Birthday wish

What do you wish for? This is the big birthday question. No one can give an appropriate answer in one response. At the moment, it’s futile to wish for some things. Nevertheless, I’m just happy to see others happy and successful.

So I make this wish for myself today: for long life to continue in service to my faith, my nation, and humanity; for prosperity to help the impoverished and destitute; and for success to inspire children and other youth around the world. Finally, I wish that the world may know tolerance, peace, and love. I wish myself a happy birthday.