Why We Shouldn’t Stop Celebrating Just Because We’re Stuck Inside
And, no I’m not suggesting that we should gather together in-person
Tomorrow is my Mom’s birthday — and a pretty big milestone one if I may mention. She’ll be seventy years-old tomorrow. Frankly, it’s quite hard for me to believe that given the fact that she looks almost exactly the same as she has for the past few decades and still often treats me like a teenager.
Regardless, time stops for no one.
My Dad turned seventy back in September and we threw him a big birthday party at their house. Thinking back on it now, it feels like ages ago. He had a wonderful time and so did everyone who attended. He was so happy which in turn made me so happy. He always says that he doesn’t want to do anything for his birthday, but deep down, I know that appreciates the gesture. And my Mom is the same exact way.
Every year, we always ask my Mom what she wants to do for her birthday and every year, it’s the same answer. “Nothing really”, she says. Of course, we still plan something anyways. And just like my Dad, she always appreciates it. However, this year is different because now when she says, “Nothing really”, it actually does mean, “Nothing, really”.
We can’t physically go and spend time with her. We can’t go out to dinner. We can’t throw a party. There’s not much that we can do at all because of the current health crisis. And it’s pretty disheartening to be robbed of the ability to go out and celebrate with your loved ones.
And I know that My Mom is not the only one who’s being robbed of a celebration. I personally know a number of friends whose birthdays who are also seemingly ruined. I know couples whose weddings are being postponed. I know dozens upon dozens of plans that have been cancelled in general due to the situation that we’re in.
And I have to admit, it’s definitely depressing to think about.
However, we also have to realize that if there’s one thing that will hopefully bring us solace during this time, it’s the comfort in knowing that at least we’re all in this together. And that’s something that we can take advantage of.
Life, as much as it doesn’t appear so at the moment, is still very much happening. Our lives are still being lived. We’re still able to make the best out of the situation that we’re in.
Yes, our plans are on hold. Our old routine is on hold. Our jobs are on hold. But, our current way of life is not on hold — not unless we allow it to be.
Which is why we shouldn’t stop celebrating just because we’re stuck inside
We can still feel emotions. Yes, there may be a lot of sadness and anxiety, but we can still feel happiness to. We can still have something to look forward to. We can still celebrate life even if it’s not exactly in the way we were hoping for. We can still try to find some glimmer of hope to hold onto.
Though I’m not physically seeing my Mom in-person this year for her birthday, I’m at least still able to call her. I’m still able to video-chat with her. I’m still able to hear her voice and see her on a screen. And honestly, that’s better than nothing.
That’s better than not at all.
So, despite the fact that we all may be physically separated right now, that doesn’t mean that we have to give up on celebrations entirely. It just means that we have to explore our other options a little bit more.
It’s easy to hang our head in sadness. Ii’s much more difficult to find light during a dark time, but it’s what we have to do in order stay afloat. It’s what we have to do in order to survive. We should celebrate life and celebrate the fact that we are surviving.
Thanks for reading! If you enjoyed this article, check out, “Before You Quit, Just Remember This One Thing”
