9/11 Changes

This is the first year where I am celebrating my birthday on its official date,9th November!! My friends know 29th November and here is why….When I was in secondary school, I did not know my birth date and neither did my family members. (I kid you not!) When friends asked me when I was born, I chose 29th November. It was sealed as my birthday until I got my baptism card issued from a church in Hoima district and it read, Akazarwa 9/11. 😂😂

Last year, while I was applying for something, I asked a friend to look over my application which required my passport bio data page. When they did, they noticed the difference in birth dates. Thinking it was a mistake, they called and we had a conversation about it. They reprimanded me for engaging in fraudulent behaviour. (Imagine me being accused of such serious allegations!!) I did not think it was that serious-they are just dates, who cares but I saw the sense in what they were saying. Its then that I allowed myself to embrace 9th November.

This year I looked forward to celebrating my birthday on its official date like a child waiting in anticipation for the rat (in Uganda its rats that take the teeth not tooth fairies. I wonder how they manage it) to replace the tooth under their pillow with money. The friend who reprimanded me called to ask how I was feeling about the new age and the new date. I am taking it one year at a time.

The new date is an advantage. I had the day to myself with little attention except from a few friends and work colleagues. On previous birthdays, I have been overwhelmed with the beautiful messages from almost everyone in my contact list. I prefer a quite birthday and most times, my friends give me that space and we hang out after the big day. I am always a ball of emotions on my day.

However, I guess you have to strike a balance between self reflection and people celebrating you. I had special encounters on my big day since I was at work, my work colleagues got me cake, the work bestie gifted me a bag that I had been eyeing since April. I was asked the hard and most abundant question by a few friends, what do you want for your birthday? I always have a birthday wish list each year for occasions like these. I passed on the list and I have been getting my heart’s desires. (Thank you my darling people for loving me abundantly and intimately).

My sister said she will forever celebrate 29th November. She will not be bothered by the new changes. LOL!! I celebrate my birthday throughout November. Do not be limited to the dates my darlings.

Does anyone share the birthday confusion story?