We do birthday celebrations all wrong. Instead of paying tribute to the birthday girl or boy, the praise should go to the parents. They gift us with life, and for those of us fortunate enough to have had parents who love(d) us, they give us their strength and guidance and an occasional firm nudge in the right direction. They’re our first, and in my case best role models.
And they (mostly) tolerate us.
But for today—which marks my 57th year on this great planet—I will gratefully accept the praise and well-wishes and congratulations for surviving another year. I’ll openly enjoy our trip to the hot springs followed by sushi later this evening. Thank you all. And I especially thank my Mum.