Full circle

Birthdays

0-5 years - Parents made a big fuss. Grandparents, uncles and aunts landed at our place two days before my birthday for the big event , every year. I was the first grandchild on both sides and the only grandchild till my sis was born 4.5 years after me.

5-12 years-Parents still made a huge fuss.Grandparents still landed at my place on the d-day. Aunts and Uncles had their own children to take care of- but they still made it a point to call or land on the following weekend.Lots of presents from everyone. Neighborhood kids were called home for cake and snacks.Maternal grandmother gave me a pattu pavadai(silk skirt) every year, until I was 11 or 12.I took chocolates to school and was the center of attraction for the day(week?). Sister gave me hand made gifts :).

13-17 years- Teenage rebellion. Parents tried to make a huge fuss- I thought it was "uncool" and rebelled .Looked forward to gifts from friends. Grandparents , uncles and aunts called. Lots of cards and gifts from friends and sister. The trend was to get Hallmark cards and those plastic stands with cliched words :). Felt special back then though.Sister and I had a competition on who gets the most number of cards/calls on our respective birthdays,in a given year.

18-21 years- Was away at college. Friends showed up at 12 to "surprise" and smear cake on me.Parents called. Grandparents mumbled about not being able to meet their favorite granddaughter on her birthday. I was acting too cool for them.Classmates and friends gave me umpteen cards and gifts.Sister and I still compared notes on number of calls/cards.

22-26 years - In the US of A.Roomies and friends showed up at 12 with a cake.HD would call (we were living in different places for 4 of the 5 years) and make sure to send me a gift.Went to school/work and the day was normal. Parents called and mourned the geographical distance.
No more real cards- only ecards.

27years old -It was a Sunday. HD had to work. Sweet friends showed up at 12 with a cake and gifts.Parents , in-laws and many friends called through the day to wish me. Sister sent me a sweet puppy (Soft toy) that looks like it is sleeping , complete with the breathing action.HD gifted me a neat shirt and trousers, a skirt and a top.
Friends wished me on orkut( no more ecards!).

I spent the whole day missing parents,grandparents, uncles, aunts,cousins and sister.

Life has come a full circle !