This birthday was a special one – it was the one where I see myself telling “How we made lockdown count?” to the future generations – much like Ted telling his kids in #HIMYM. And while technically, SG was moderately open – India being locked down had an impact on who would have been here and what would the celebrations have looked like!
Sugar, spice and everything nice!
I always identified with Buttercup in Powerpuff girls. But the power I speak of here is not mine but that of people around me!
1. Culinary power of the #husband who made a birthday cake for the very first time. I was never really a foodie but on 22nd, I binged on everything on my plate (planned by him) & gave up calorie counting. Something else that didn’t change after all these years – the number of cakes I cut on my birthdays. This year the number stood at 4!
2. Creative power of #Sam who made the most adorable card and spent the entire day with me
3. Poetic power of #mom who made an awesome poem for me
4. Power of love of #sisters, #dad, #in-laws and #friends who ensured I enjoy my full birthday – from midnight calls, early morning messages to catching up at the end of the day!
Special birthday plans and maturity
You often get asked, “So, how did you spend your birthday, what special plans?” Special plans in the past had treasure hunts, surprise parties, having 100+ people wishing/meeting you, day out with different gangs, birthday themes & presents n so on so forth! Closer to 40, I’m not saying surprises, hanging out doesn’t make the birthday special, but lack of it – doesn’t make it awful. And that I think is growth or should I say maturity 🙂
So, this birthday I did all things I liked. I took a day off (something I recently started and totally loved), went swimming with Sam, rode a bike, had a cheat day for #Starbucks coffee (after quitting coffee as a 2020 resolution), enjoyed reading during my me-time, played board games, cut a cake with family being virtually present & had loads of conversations with friends who speak only on birthdays but who I know are always there – a phone call away!
Taking stock
38th year completed with many things to be proud of.
There was professional growth in terms of some objectives being met and some relationships being formed.
I was happy of my personal growth in terms of following up on health goals and pursuing a hobby (basically something creative & different from day-to-day).
Covid-19 brought about new challenges in 2020 but helped me grow as I figured out solutions to panic buying, online class management, work from home etc. Distance made heart grow fonder in 2019 but Covid-19 in 2020 got me closer to my folks with regular calls, weekly quizzes and check-ins. As with everything, some relationships flourished during this time while some have further scope of improvement.
This year became a year of breadth with many things started. It’ll, therefore, be important to see how much depth I can attain in the coming year & sustain the good work done till date.
An avoidable end of a perfect day
As the day closed, I opened work emails only to realize that there was a significant pile up in 1 day. So, the day ended at 2:00 am after speaking to #namu, #shruti and #shraddha at midnight, clearing off some mails and making a to-do list for next day!
I slept content yet harrowed birthday girl – waiting to face the curve balls coming my way in the new year…
Sharmili's Minded Mindlessness 