To be older is to be alive, and to be alive is to be grateful. 

12.9.24 

Many dread getting older, and I've been a part of 'many' too, but getting older, I realised, is a gift. Sadly, not everyone gets to experience that for a number of reasons. Instead of looking at getting older as a sad occasion like I used to because I thought I was spiralling into a life of utter boredom with less fun and thrill with each passing year, I like to look at it differently now. 

I get to see my mom and dad's faces a moment longer. I get to celebrate my friend's wins again. I get to spend more time with my sisters and make more memories with the people I love all over again. I get to do something impactful. I get to do something great again. I get the chance to do a God-thing and see His kingdom come on earth for another year. Moreover, that's what I'm here for. So instead of being sad, I choose to push that moment of gloom—if I must have it—to the day after my birthday or never, even😂. I can be sober some other time. But on that birthday, it's okay to feel special. That's the day God decided to release the delicious human recipe you are, seasoned, cooked and ready for the world to enjoy your savory, sweet taste and life-changing presence. God graced the world with you because you carry an expression of Him that needs to be revealed. 

I'm familiar with the feeling of not wanting to get older. I used to feel that way before because I felt that the older I got, the less fun my life would be, but it's not true. The older you get, the more you discover how fun life is. You discover more ways to enjoy life. You realise that it's not always about dream jobs and parties here and there. People say it's always the little things, and I think so, too. Sometimes it's about doing the things you enjoyed as a child. For me, deep down, I just want a pack of stickers to paste in my journal and a pack of glitter pens to enhance my paper craft. A won't mind a bubbler, too. Getting older isn't just aging. It is experiencing life afresh. Every day, every year. 

Speaking of getting older. Here's a little side story.

I've been thinking, trying to figure something out. So, when a child completes their first set of 365 days, they turn one. Which means the day after that (their birthday) begins a fresh count of their second set of 365 days, so at the end of it, they turn 2. 

Why then does it seem when you turn 15 for instance, that you're just beginning that year? It seems like you're living your 15th year when you have in fact lived that year and are currently running on the 16th, so are you 15 or 16?😅 I know this is silly but I need to understand it for my peace of mind so please don't judge me😭😂. 

Back to where we were. I realised that when you turn a particular age, say 16, you're that age for just one day. Because if you're 16 years old, your birthday is the day you complete the 365 days that makes you 16, so from the day after your birthday, you're not 16. You're 16 plus one, because you've started living the 365 days of your 17th year. So you turning 16 on your birthday marks the end—not the beginning—of your 16th year and the beginning of your 17th year the day after. I finally got the logic behind it!!🥳🤭😂 Because tell me why a 6 month old is called a six month old but then when they turn 1, the count gets all confusing from there because we say it like they're just beginning their first year; like they were born hours ago😂. Hehe, now it all makes sense and I feel like a champ for finally figuring it out because this has been so mind burgling for me😂. Has everyone else understood it this way all this while though?👀 If so, then it means I've been living under a rock my entire life lol😂. Thank you for following along to the end. I can say you got a sneak peek into the kind of conversations I have with myself🙈😄. 

So here, some flowers for you to say thank you💐🤗.