I "celebrated" my birthday a few days ago. When I say I celebrated, I mean that my daughter kept reminding me every waking hour in the days before that it was coming. When you're 6, birthdays are all the rage. They're fun, exciting, and usually present and party filled. But after a while, you tend to stop counting.
The last time I truly celebrated was my 30th. My wife planned a surprise party, that I almost spoiled due to business travel. Last year I spent my birthday in a foreign country. I didn't know anybody there and didn't speak a lot of the local language, so I didn't venture out other than to restaurants to get food.
This year, I went to work, went to dinner with my wife and kids, and had a team meeting with my ice hockey team for our upcoming season. Yeah, I was real excited about it.
I got to thinking why people think birthdays are important. Let's go over the things that happen on your birthday, at particular ages:
16: in most states, you are eligible to get your driver's license.
17: Can see "R" rated movies without a parent or guardian present.
18: Voting. Purchase lottery tickets and cigarettes. Now considered an "adult" so you can enter contests, promotions. You can apply for credit cards in your own name.
21: You can legally purchase alcohol, gamble in a casino. Some rental car agencies will allow you to rent a car with an additional fee.
25: Rent a car without the additional fee. Car insurance rates drop if you have a good driving record.
After 25, what privileges do you gain? The only two I can find:
50: You are eligible to join AARP.
55-65 (depending on location): Start becoming eligible for senior discounts.
65: You're now on Medicare.
So between 25 and 50, to me, you're just gaining a number. It's just another day.
The last time I truly celebrated was my 30th. My wife planned a surprise party, that I almost spoiled due to business travel. Last year I spent my birthday in a foreign country. I didn't know anybody there and didn't speak a lot of the local language, so I didn't venture out other than to restaurants to get food.
This year, I went to work, went to dinner with my wife and kids, and had a team meeting with my ice hockey team for our upcoming season. Yeah, I was real excited about it.
I got to thinking why people think birthdays are important. Let's go over the things that happen on your birthday, at particular ages:
16: in most states, you are eligible to get your driver's license.
17: Can see "R" rated movies without a parent or guardian present.
18: Voting. Purchase lottery tickets and cigarettes. Now considered an "adult" so you can enter contests, promotions. You can apply for credit cards in your own name.
21: You can legally purchase alcohol, gamble in a casino. Some rental car agencies will allow you to rent a car with an additional fee.
25: Rent a car without the additional fee. Car insurance rates drop if you have a good driving record.
After 25, what privileges do you gain? The only two I can find:
50: You are eligible to join AARP.
55-65 (depending on location): Start becoming eligible for senior discounts.
65: You're now on Medicare.
So between 25 and 50, to me, you're just gaining a number. It's just another day.
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