“With mirth and laughter, let old wrinkles come”- William Shakespeare.
Today, I am a year older. Just a week ago I was in my mother's arms, cooing softly as I gazed into her face. Last week, I was holding my father's hand, taking small, fragile steps. And just yesterday, my siblings surrounded me, watching in delight as I made cute faces and babbled excitedly, with chocolate staining my mouth. And in what feels like the blink of an eye, I've grown from the innocent little boy who'd run around the house with chocolate-smeared lips, as my mom watched my steps, my siblings looked in awe and my dad watched from afar, seeing how far I could go. Today, I have grown into a man. A man with wisdom in his heart and mind. An intelligent person. A man who has learnt to love and be loved.
Looking back, I have never written a birthday post until today. I have seen many Februarys come and go. Many February 14ths, but they were just ordinary days. I remember during my high school days, I always made sure I remembered my close friends’ birthdays and got them something nice. I was more on the giving end and rarely on the receiving end. I could save money for months just to surprise my friends on their birthdays, but on mine, I’d stay indoors, replying to messages and living my day as if it were any other day, not my birthday. However, this year, I decided to do something different. I came up with a brilliant idea. Birthdays are special, so why not treat yourself to something nice?
I'd never gotten anything for myself on my birthday, and I’m glad I thought of that idea. A few months ago, I was skeptical about doing this. But as each day passed, and I saw people celebrating their birthdays, the idea of celebrating mine, in my own way, became more pronounced until it became a full-fledged plan. I spent days thinking about this: “What should I get for myself on my birthday?” I have a chess set already, and getting another one would be unnecessary. I finally settled on getting myself books. As a book lover, nothing beats getting yourself nice-covered books on your birthday. I shared this idea with Hopestylist, Jhymi, and some of my other friends, and they liked it, which gave me the motivation to proceed with the plan. And every now and then, I kept hammering it to myself, “I will buy books for myself on my birthday.”
For the first time, I got something nice for myself on my birthday. More importantly, I got something I love- books! I love the smell of new books. Two days ago, I went to the bookstore, and out of the many shiny books that kept whispering to me to pick them, three got my attention. “As Old As Time” by Liz Braswell. “The Dead” by Charlie Higson and “What Monster” by Tom Gates. Now, here’s where things got interesting. I got and paid for three books. It wasn’t until I left the bookstore that I realized the woman had mistakenly packed 4 books instead of the 3 I paid for. Although I had gone far, I went back to return it. She was so happy that I did and did something nice for me. As I was about to walk out of the store, she called me back and asked me to pick any book of my choice, which she would give me for free. She didn't even know I got the books for my birthday. I find it really heartwarming when people do something thoughtful for me. The fact that I'd never met her before that day made it even more special. Now, I have 4 new books to add to my library.
Today, as I celebrate my birthday, I say a big thank you to people who have contributed to my growth, particularly my parents and siblings. They watched me as I crawled, took my first steps, and started walking. Not only am I their child and sibling, but also their work of art as they have shaped me to become who I am today. Thank you to my beautiful friends on Hive who have contributed to my growth in one way or the other. Thank you, Hopestylist, Jhymi, Deraa, Abenad, Bipolar, Burlaj, Quduus1, Vickoly, Nkem, Princess, Merit, Mayor, Treasure, Hasan, B0s, Olujay, Drey and my other Neoxian City friends.
Special thank you to @hopestylist. You are the best!
Happy birthday to me! Happy Valentine’s Day!❤️
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Aww, my baby is a year older (in my woman’s voice). 🤭
Happiest birthday to you, my Friendy. I wish you everything good that this life has to give and I pray that even as you keep growing that lines continues to fall in place for you.
It was just like yesterday when we started talking but today, I’m so happy when I think about the things we’ve shared together, the things we share and the things we’ll share in the future. Keep being the amazing and most intelligent man I know and I pray God will always be with you, in Jesus name, Amen. ❤️
Always know that this girl loves you more than words can say. 🥰
I’m happy you finally got yourself those books and it was really nice of the book seller to reward you with an extra for being an amazing human. Keep doing the right things no matter how hard it might be and you’d see your life changing for the best. 🫂❤️
Thank you so much for everything, really. I'm super glad our paths crossed. Thank you for the sweet memories.
Before I go back to school, I plan to visit the woman who gave me the book and thank her well.
I want my woman’s voice for this one. 🤭
The feeling is mutual, Friendy. 🥰
Oh! That’s really thoughtful of you. She will be really pleased with that. I hope you find her there. 🫂
This old woman. I'll not tell them what just happened.😂😂
Support me for once!😡
Yes, it’s her bookstore. I'm sure she is always there.
Guyy!! Don’t even try it. 🤣🤣🤣
I always support you, this man!!! 😂🏃♀️➡️
Yeah? That’s what I thought too. Remember when I told you I forgot something at the market? 🤣
Ahh! I remember.😂
When I later went there, it was then I discovered that the lady is not always around on Thursdays. 😂
Thank you so much for the prayers, too.❤️
You’re welcome, my Dalulu. ❤️
🌹❤️🤭
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Thank you. 🥰
Happy birthday Favour ❤️
Thank you so much, Meya.❤️
Wah, happy birthday for you, stay blessed!
Thank you so much, friend!❤️ I really appreciate your kind words.🥹
Happy birthday bro, have a splendid celebration.
I have never gotten myself a birthday gift before but I always buy books when the chance presents.
Though my library needs some updating, I may borrow this idea from you on my next birthday.
What you did at the bookstore with the extra book is very good. And her response is just a tip of the iceberg of how grateful and happy she is.
Age gracefully my city trainer
Hey there, Graat. Getting yourself something nice on your birthday is therapeutic. Whether it is new sneakers, clothes or a device, just get yourself something.
Thank you so much, Graat.🫂
Happy Birthday Dear Teacher,
Keep shinning, keep Growing, keep flourishing the Sky is your starting point,
And congratulations to your new Books collection
My bro Drey! Thank yohso much for your kind words, sir.❤️
I want to be like you when I grow up
Don’t start, please.😂
Happy birthday Favour
Thanks, Matt.
Yes boss so happy for you
Happy birthday 🎉
As you clock a year older today, may you continue to grow in wisdom. The woman was thoughtful, and you are as well, she did what she did, as she understands that, you are a man of honesty, successful year's ahead bro.
Indeed, the woman was thoughtful and super nice. I plan to visit her next week.
A nice plan as well, i think you should visit her, hope you are still eating the cake?
I'll give her something better than a cake.😂
It's good that you got those liby, thanks to that seller. Good day.
I'm super glad I got them.
Thank you so much for stopping by.❤️
The anecdote of the bookstore touched my soul, sometimes the universe gives us back beautiful gestures when we least expect it. May this year be full of pages as interesting as the ones you have just added to your library. ❤️
Thanks to the seller, I smiled the whole day. She is proof that there are still good people on earth.
Thank you so much for your kind words.❤️
O My Friend, Teacher, Brother.
Dear @justfavour, Hɑׁׅ֮℘℘ᨮ꫶ׁׅ֮ Bꪱׁׅꭈׁׅtׁׅhׁׅ֮ժׁׅ݊ɑׁׅ֮ᨮ꫶ׁׅ֮ to you 🎁
Many many many many Hɑׁׅ֮℘℘ᨮ꫶ׁׅ֮ return's of the day 🍀
You are such a good person who is easy to be friends with because you have a pure heart. Honestly, I am happy to have a friend like you.
I really can't think of what gift to give you for your birthday, but I sincerely wish you happiness always. I just want to say that I am close to you. And I know you are a book lover, congratulations on collecting so many books.
Also thank you so much for mentioning my name on the friend list 🤗
Hello there, Hasan. You are a good guy and you inspire me to be a good father. I'm glad to be your friend.
Thank you.❤️🫂
Your child smiling in years to come after reading this. 🤭
So sweet!❤️🤭
I know right?! 🤭
I loved your history and make me feel identified and reading it was so warming. Happy birthday to yoy ando hope now and go on you´ll celebrate your life. My birthday is on 18 and always thought that is the real New Year, it´s a new begining so a new chance to try new things o chnage something.
I´m a newie on Hive/inLeo and your post has been the first I read, I´m glad for it because I really enjoyed it.
I wish you new adventures, more books on the shelter and widsom on your heart
Happiest Birthday to you, my fellow book lover!
Pretty same, I also love the smell of books. That's why even though I have bunch of e-books in my drive, I'll still prefer to read the paperbacks. Anyway, that was a great and memorable experience to be gifted with books on your special day. I often wished for one to myself annually. That's just so sweet and heartwarming. Your good deed was paid instantly.