Why did the dinosaur cross the road?

Over New Year’s Eve, I was talking to my parents who were visiting us from Charlotte about my upcoming birthday just a couple of days later. We were all in a very festive mood on account of the holidays of course, and the disposition naturally spilled into a conversation about celebrating birthdays in general.

My mom proceeded to tell me a story about one of her birthdays. She was in the 10th grade she thinks when instead of wearing her uniform to school, she was wearing normal clothes (also referred to as “free uniform day” if I recall correctly from my own time in school in Ahmedabad; free uniform day was allowed on your birthdays). The reason for wearing non-uniform clothing she no longer remembers. All day, her friends would walk up to her and eagerly ask if it was her birthday. She would reply, oh no, it’s not. Only to find out later that night from her parents that it was indeed her birthday. It was an exciting revelation to my mom, without any resentment at her parents.

Another story emerged from my dad to whom I asked if he knew my paternal grandma’s birthday. She and I shared a very special bond and it was bugging me that I never knew her birthday. My dad’s reply though shocking at first, was not all that surprising. He had no clue about his mom’s birthday. It wasn’t a thing people cared to keep track of back in the day. And even if they did, the birthday was remembered by the solar-lunar-calendar rather than the Gregorian calendar. So for example, a birthday would be described as “Easter” which as we all know, moves around a bit from year to year.

The apple didn’t fall far from the tree. Just like my parents I don’t like to make a big fuss about my birthdays. I even got away with this mindset for a long time because my birthday falls right after the year-end holidays during the winter break. People are usually partied out by then you know.

But I have learned, especially since having my kids, that my birthdays are indeed special and that it should be a day spent doing something celebratory. For the past many years, Dev and the kids have filled it with surprises and this year was no different. All day, I was basking in the glow of laughter, hugs, presents, dosas, cake, and the best company ever. 

Which brings me back to title of this post which was a birthday joke that my Moosie (aka Ajay) shared with me.

Why did the dinosaur cross the road?

Because the chicken wasn’t born yet.

 Grateful for my 43 years here on earth. Cheers to 43 more!