Greetings to my hive family! Today, I'm sharing a deeply personal aspect of my childhood: my heartfelt wishes, experiences, lingering regrets, and the lasting effects it has on me even now that I'm of age. I know we all have one or two things we wish we did or had as kids but we couldn't. For me, it was birthday celebration. Yes, that yearly party that is now common among folks was what I yearned for year after year but never experienced.
The way people even celebrate birthdays nowadays gives me goosebumps. People now go as far as booking sessions with their photographers, having themselves surprised by friends and families. They hire event centres highly decorated with balloons and colourful lights. They enjoy early morning surprise by trumpeter and spraying of beautiful currencies by their loved ones. 
As a child, I longed for that magical day. Oh, how I long waited for that special day, the day that usually comes, you know, with fine dress, shiny shoes, cool songs, warm dance, party food and the likes. Neighbourhood was always bubbling even when the exposure back then was nothing compared with now. Then, it was mostly an arrangements of soft drinks on table, together with Cabin family biscuits , sweets, cake and new dress for the celebrant. It was usually a communal time. In fact, if we didn't get invite from classmates, we would get from church members or neighbours almost every month. The aspect I love so much was the photography session, where the elders would position us according to our height. Thank God I wasn't that tall, I used to fall between the front and the middle row. So, I was always in every photograph. Hmm, 'when is my own birthday?', I would ask my mother. Some of my friends celebrated on the 2nd, 4th, 13th of January, others, 16th, 18th of March and so on. When is my own birthday or is it that I was born on 32nd that never exist ?
Those were my questions from year to years as I yearned to be celebrated like my mates but it never happened. I once thought my parents didn't like me but I later grew to realise it was not so. It was only financial constraints. They prefer to use the little they had to settle my necessities in school. Well, it was all okay. At least they love me, knowing this was enough. So, I stopped asking them and I got use to it
Fast forwarded to this present time that I'm all grown. It doesn't matter anymore. I barely put up a party. While I see reasons for it, I rather appreciate God in another way other than ceremony. I mean a quieter way. Two years ago, for the very first time in my life. My friend gave a beautiful birthday surprise. He sent me cake, beautiful card and a trumpeter to sing for me.
Oh! River of tears in the neighborhood. Me? Birthday celebration? How come? Who planned this? It was so emotional for me that I cried my eyes out. Wow! That kind gesture by my friend was worth more than money, till now. I hold that friend of mine in a very high esteem. So, I thought I would start from where my friend stopped and always cook up something for my birthday every year but it wasn't coming forth. No matter how I tried.
I'm now 30 years of age. I have never had a party for myself. What then happened on my wedding day? Well, I prepared and planned well but I only have few people in attendance. 
Many that were not invited got angry, they expected it to be a lavished one-in -town party. While they might be right, I didn't see it that way, maybe as a result of my upbringing. Anyways, things must change, my resolution for next year. I will start with photoshoot, that is booking a session with a photographer, cut some cakes and then sing and dance. Also, I have taken it upon myself to celebrate any kid around once it's their day. I want them to feel loved, recognised and celebrated. I want them to feel they are not less of humans than others. So, I take them out for birthday treats and also offer them present once it's their birthday, which I know will shape their future.
So guys, June 29th is my birthday, I know I'm going to celebrate it with my hive family. Remind me to make it remarkable when it's time. Thanks for reading.
Some of the pictures were shot by me while others were Meta AI generated pictures.