Whose Birthday Is It?

I've had this debate with my friends for a while now.

If it's my birthday, do I get to choose if I celebrate it?

It seems the answer is NO.

I have friends who celebrate their birthdays for the day, for the week, and even a couple who celebrate the entire month. And, if that's what they want to do, I support it. However they choose to celebrate is fine with me.

When it's my birthday, I don't get the same understanding support.

I don't celebrate my birthday. Not for any special reason. I just don't celebrate it. And it drives my friends crazy. I support them in how they want to spend their special day (week, month), so why does it bother them that I don't want the same when it's MY day?

The funny thing is -- it's not limited to my friends. Co-workers and other acquaintances have the same reaction. It's almost like they make it their personal mission to change my mind -- or to make them the exception, like I should celebrate with them even if I don't celebrate with anyone else. I often hear comments like, "It's just a free lunch. Think of it that way."

For some reason, no one understands that my perfect birthday celebration would be to have some alone time and read (or write) a fun romance. NOT be the center of attention so that everyone can have a special lunch or a piece of cake.

Oh wait!

I just figured it out.

​If I don't celebrate, they don't get cake. Ah, the universe makes sense now.