The curse of remembering birthdays

Early on a Saturday morning, just after my second cup of coffee, I would send my sister a message saying: “Today, six years ago, we were doing this-and-this.” She’d reply saying that she has no idea how I remember things like that. My mom is like that too. We would remember dates of events and birthdays of people we have not seen for years (or are not really even remotely connected with). I remember the date on which I wrote my last high school exam paper. The date we left for holiday at the end of second grade. My first encounter with alcohol. My first resignation letter. The list goes on and on and on. The strange thing is, even though I remember certain dates – annually without fail – there are certain major events I do not remember the dates of at all. This would be the death of my grandma. The birthday of my late grandpa, the birthday of a friend lost in high school (I do remember his death annually, unfortunately). I guess this is the Universe’s way of trying to protect me.

A couple of weeks ago I wanted to wish a friend from high school, we were really close at some stage, a happy birthday. Over the years I have lost his number (it has to be said that I do remember his parents’ home number) and relied on Facebook. Well, you guessed it.

I am un-friended.

Last time I saw him – in our hometown a year or two ago (if I concentrate I will actually be able to give you the exact date) – we were still on speaking terms. Meanwhile, I gathered he made quite a few drastic changes to his life and moved away from home. Now, I know things change and people grow apart, but once you and a person have a history together, you are connected. And breaking away from that connection is impossible. You can run away and pretend it never was, you can change your name and get a wig, but your past sticks to you like fairy dust. I suppose I am not devastated by the rejection. Slightly pissed off, yes, but not devastated.

To my dear friend
(yes, I shall refer to him as a friend, because in my world we are still friends)

I hope you had a lovely birthday.

And next year, I will wish you a happy birthday in your absence again.

And the year after that.

And the year after that.

And the year after that.

And the year after that.

And the year after that.

And the year after that.

And the year after that.

And the year after that.

And the year after that.

And the year after that.

And the year after that.