On this day, 24 years ago I was born and the Bears won the Super Bowl. Since that time I’ve celebrated in many different ways. When I was younger, parties were a must. Young children always seem to have birthday parties and what with my love for attention, being at the center of it was great. These parties ranged from at our house, to McDonald’s, to Fun Times. Those were very enjoyable parties but as I got older it was more about a select few friends as opposed to having tons of family give me things. Family parties were replaced with WWF “Royal Rumble” watch parties which were also fun. Turning 19 was celebrated as any Sockel birthday should be, at a Casino. The best parties obviously occur in college. I was lucky enough to have our baseball team “Rookie Night” on my birthday, where I was drunker then anyone there, and I even had a good friend throw her birthday party ON my birthday (Yes Molly, I’m talking about you.) My senior year, the younger baseball players threw a party in my honor and it was almost like being a toddler again. Hundreds of people attended to celebrate with me, many of whom I didn’t know. Just like being a baby… except with copious amount of alcohol.
That night, as I turned 22, I jokingly told my roommates that it was all down hill from there. Sure I still celebrate my birthday but in a much different fashion. In college, birthdays were considered events. Days to be celebrated for 24 hours at MINIMUM. Most celebrations lasted an entire weekend if not longer. These days? Well let’s just say I’ve already been to the gym today and I’m writing this from my internship where I’ll be until 5. After that I’ll be headed to my night class until around 9. Sure, my friends and I will go out for a drink afterwards but there isn’t any large soirée to be had. In fact, last night when the clock struck midnight I was sitting alone, playing FIFA with some old friends and imbibing on a White Russian in the dark. Hardly an event for the ages.
I’m not trying to throw myself a pity party, so please don’t take it that way. I just find it interesting how the way we embrace this day of birth changes so drastically. When we’re younger we couldn’t wait until our birthday. We have countdowns and remind everyone we see. Now? If it weren’t for my phone buzzing every 5 minutes with a message from a well-wisher I probably wouldn’t even really remember. Perhaps it’s that 24 seems rather insignificant. Not quite 25, but no longer 21; a sort of limbo waiting for a bigger occasion to come along. So this change is much like the one involving Christmas morning. As a child we can hardly sleep, as an adult, well it’s a bit different. We still tend to be filled with a happiness and excitement, but it doesn’t keep us up at night. One thing I do always do on my birthday is reflect. It’s one of those times in the year where I really stop and look around. It gives me a chance to realize how lucky I am. So if you’re reading this and have wished me happy birthday, from the bottom of my heart, thank you and if you haven’t said anything to me, thank you as well because at least you’re reading this. I feel blessed and could not have gotten where I am today without all of you.
Na’zdravie… cheers, to me!
(Hey, after all it is my birthday!)
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