When a group of amazing Christian friends you barely even personally know surprise you with an advanced birthday greeting, you gotta feel special.

I don’t know why I am writing again, when I promised myself never to write personal things about my birthday that aren’t worth writing and reading.

Because I always hated my birthday since I celebrated my 16th.

I was crying inside a bus going home from Baguio when I turned 16. Accused of stealing a ponytail worth 29 pesos in SM Baguio on my 17th. Yes, I was forced to write a statement saying I am a thief because I was trying to reach on my wallet inside my Jansport when a security personnel grabbed my arm and forcefully dragged me into the security room. Personal bubble popped because only few people whom I trust knew about this.

Worst on my 18th, no one remembered that I should be turning into a lady. They sang a Birthday song to a little girl but not to me, thinking that I was at the back of the venue hopefully waiting for a birthday greeting from them. I was crying the whole night that I couldn’t even open my eyes the next day. I was not expecting a grand debut party but I never expected a celebration being totally taken for granted. I felt so alone in a pool of happy people.

What should you expect for my 19th and 20th? At least it was both celebrated at home with friends and families but the pain from the previous years of uncelebrating kept bugging me down. The voice of the past was just lurking around the corner.

You see, the scars that the past leaves are often painful.

Again, only few people remembered my birthday on my 21st. Good thing I sponsored a Holiday of Hope and Cheer for children in Bulacan so it somehow made my celebration worth writing now.

I was not really expecting something special for my 22nd now that I’m down to two days before the celebration. I will (again) be sponsoring a gift-giving and fun-filled [birthday] celebration with children from Cavite and I guess it will be just that. A dinner with the family and a good night sleep will do.

But this came unexpectedly.

I barely even know this God-given blessings because I met them only over a year ago. I did not aspire for a recognition nor a night of roller coaster mostly on top ride but they wiped away all my birthday reservations that turned cold a long time ago.

No one ever prayed for me like they did and it felt surreal knowing that whatever happens, I am surrounded with Christian friends I could always turn to when  I try to act strong even when I am not.I guess it is finally time to stop ignoring the “happy” in every “Happy Birthday” greeting again.Thank you, Glory in the Highest Christian Ministry Youth JAM. You are my birthday blessings.