Turning 40

Happy birthday to me. Yes it is my birthday today and I have turned 40!

It is really unbelievable how time passed so fast. I still remember my birthday when I was in Grade 1. I had one my new dress to the school (we had the freedom to wear clothes of our choice on our birthday in primary school). When I entered the class every classmate new that it was my birthday. Most of my classmates came and wished me immediately. My class teacher Ms. Sharma announced in the class that it was my birthday. She called me in front of the class and all my classmates clapped for me. They sang "happy birthday" out loud. I distributed chocolates to the entire class. I gave the chocolate to Ms Sharma and she told me to visit each class in the school and give chocolates to all teachers.

I remember Knocking on each classroom door and telling the teachers that it was my birthday. I gave them the chocolate and bowed down to them. I visited my principal's office and gave her the chocolates too. It was a great day. I received so many wishes from my teachers. Receiving wishes and Smiles from the teachers was something which was rare in my time. It is something we only used to get on our birthdays.

Another memorable birthday was when I turned 17 years old. The day before my birthday we had gone to Nagpur for my cousins wedding. Along with my family my cousins, aunts, uncles were with me. We celebrated our birthday in the train. I had cut the cake in the train and distributed it to all the family members. During the train journey I had no test that in our compartment there were a few soldier. They had noticed that we had cut the cake. Maybe out of the patriotism or gratitude towards them I decided to give them the cake. I still remember the expression on their faces after receiving the cake. They were surprised as well as happy. They were not expecting to receive the cake.

Next birthday that are you remember was when I had told 25 years old. My family had gone to Lonavala to celebrate my birthday. I was little unwel that time but still I enjoyed the celebration. It was very simple. I had cut the Choco Lava cake from Domino's Pizza outlet. It was small but it was memorable.

Today as I have told 40 I feel that I am not as excited as I used to be when I was a child or a youngster. It is not that I am sad or distressed. But this birthday feels like every other day in the life. As a child I would wait eagerly for my birthday because we used to get the cake only on the birthdays. It was a rare pleasure. Now I have the freedom to eat the cake whenever I want and hence the cake, chocolates, or gifts no longer excite me. Maybe that is one part of growing up that the excitement fate with the age.

But who knows probably I am still young at heart.