26th
Last Updated on: 18th July 2023, 01:47 pm
Last May 15, I just turned 26 years old and to be honest, I didn’t feel like it. Maybe because everything is so fast paced that I forgot that I’m just 4 years away from turning 30.
I didn’t feel like it was my birthday because I had work on that day. Despite my family and friends advance birthday greetings, I was not feeling what a birthday celebrant should feel. And to make it worse, I suddenly remembered my birthday wish every year that is still not granted – to find the job that I will truly love. Just because of that, I was glum and spent my day in the office in a daze. I was having painful flashbacks. What a day to celebrate!
But, everything changed when I arrived at my birthday dinner at ATC with my family. No, they didn’t surprise me with a grand birthday party or a key to a new car.
Seeing their smiling faces made me realize something: Despite all of the things that have happened, I’m still with them and I was in perfectly in good health. I’m still alive and well for the past 26 years.
We ate our favorite Samgyeopsal and other Korean dishes for our dinner while we just talked and laughed about random things. To some it might be simple, but to me it was special- and enlightened me somehow. Especially when my siblings gave me their birthday card.
Reading their letters to me felt weird and funny at first. I didn’t expect to read “I love you Ate” and mushy messages from them, especially from my younger brother! 🙂 I even joked that they just wrote it because they want something from me or they just want to make me happy because it’s my birthday.
But I noticed that it was full of thank you’s. And that was when it hit me: I was a good sister to them, which I never acknowledged myself. I didn’t realize that the small things I’ve done to them- cracking jokes, doing weird shit just to make them laugh (baby talking) and so on – it meant so much to them. I realized that my hardships and sufferings inspired my sister to become the best version of herself, whereas I see my life as a product of failure- nothing to be inspired or proud of.
Their heartfelt letters to me 🙂
It was still hard to believe, but I matter to them. And after reading their letters, I was lucky I managed to compose myself and didn’t cry because that would be hugely embarrassing for me!
That day was truly memorable for me, just like my previous birthdays, but that day was also a wake-up call for me. That day reminded me to be grateful for everything and to always see the good side of life. The fact that I’m still alive, means that more things will happen and the fight is not yet over. And I’m also proud to say that despite what I’ve been through, I’m still standing- and surviving. Looking back, I realize that I’ve been too harsh with myself that I forgot to congratulate her- for standing up for herself. For her unwavering resilience. Because if not for her, I might not have pursued my passion anymore.
So, congratulations, 26-year-old self! Thank you for still fighting, and believing.
#Cheersto26th
