A lot of emphasis can be placed on your birthday.
Until the train derails and crashes into the side of a mountain.
Reddit user, u/TriggerLilVgang, wanted to hear about when your life anniversary wasn't great when they asked:
Hey Reddit what's the worst birthday you have ever had?
When Physical Pain Comes Into Play
Sometimes it's not outside forces causing your birthday to fall apart. Maybe it's something wrong within your rapidly aging body, suffering from something you could never see coming.
Someone Steps Up To Make It Go Away
My 20th birthday, I had just had surgery and i was in pain with my knee and leg because of it and i was by myself and depressed but my stepmom came home early from work and said she couldn't leave me by myself for my birthday so she left work early and bought me a present and a cake
My dad didn't care but she did and she was the only one who bought me a present out of my family
Oh, Never Knew That About Myself
When I turned ten. My parents decided to throw me a surprise party that year. I walked in the door, they jumped out, everyone shouted "SURPRISE", and I promptly had one of my first major anxiety attacks. I threw up everywhere, and then hyperventilated until I passed out. I haven't celebrated my birthday since (I'm 20 now).
Friends Who Let You Down
Friends are great, right?
Except when it's your birthday and it's time for them to step up to make your day better, only for them to crash, burn, and fail all over the place.
When You're THAT Friend...
When I was 11-13 I had a group of friends who used to celebrate each others birthdays by covering the birthday kids locker full of things they liked (photos of celebrity crushes, favourite anime/show characters, favorite candy bars etc.) They did this for everyone in the group.
Everyone but me.
How Do You Turn Down A GameBoy Cake?
I was in the 2nd or 3rd grade. My mom was throwing me a party at home and invited everyone in my class at school. She made a huge cake shaped like a GameBoy and I was stoked to have everyone I knew to come hang out and eat this cake. Day arrives and my cousin shows up...he lived next door and one other kid I knew from school arrived...his Dad worked with my mom. Hours went by and no one else arrived. I was crushed honestly. My Mom decided to make the party a sleepover with my cousin and the one friend from class but I remember when they left the next day, I just stared at the massive cake with a few cut out pieces and cried. My mom let me run my fingers through the icing as a consolation prize but that was a cold reality check. I felt like a fool for wanting others to like me or wanting to see me. It was dreadful going back to school and facing everyone that I felt rejected by. It was probably worse not saying anything about it to anyone.
In hindsight I understand now that other parents might have been uncomfortable bringing their kids to a trailer park. It was the first time it really dawned on me that people treat lower socioeconomic classes differently. It's honestly the last time I remember doing anything celebratory on my birthday.
Still the reason I don't really like to celebrate mine or anyone else's birthday.
Changing The Direction Of The Attention
When my friend who always makes everything about her had a tantrum, locked herself in my bathroom crying for hours until half my friends went home cause they couldn't even use the toilet at my house. All that cause her best friend kissed a dude she flashed her boobs to once.
But she had to pick my party to drive everyone apart.
A Truly Tragic Reminder
Then there are those birthdays that carry a tragic weight with them, only there to remind you of what you've lost as opposed to the age and experience you've gained.
A Gap Where A Loved One Should Be
Last year. It was my first birthday since my grandmother passed away from cancer. She was the only person who celebrated my birthday with me.
Bad News. Happy Outcome.
I was diagnosed with cancer the day before my 23rd birthday and spent my entire birthday talking to doctors about treatment options. That one sucked
How are you now?
I've been cancer free since February and have my first check up in about 2 weeks!
A Reminder Of What You've Lost
My brother died on my birthday.
I'm so sorry something that horrible happened on your birthday.
Thank you. I figure I get his birthday now that he's not using it anymore.
That's the spirit! My brother passed away a week after my birthday three years ago, so it's always kind of somber leading up to it. I try to make light of it, though, and just remember him fondly and reflect on our friendship and inside jokes. I will be having a word with my parents about which one of my brothers now gets his birthday though. Thanks for the idea.
In a few years I'll be able to be mad at him about it, I'm sure, and he absolutely would have thought it was hilarious.
Even if a birthday isn't going exactly as planned, try to remember what it means: you've survived one more trip around the sun, which is more than most get. Try not to let the little things get you down and pray for enough wisdom to be able to comprehend the big things with compassion and acceptance.
Want to "know" more? Never miss another big, odd, funny, or heartbreaking moment again. Sign up for the Knowable newsletter here.
@SecretaryBurgum/X
@Doug Ellin/X
@evanrachelwood/Instagram