so it is done

12 messages.
5 belatedness
5 Testimonials
8 Handshakes

What these all have in common? They were birthday greetings.

Showers of blessings rain upon those who msged me, regardless of it being a belated greeting or not; to those who took the time and trouble to write a testimonial for me, giving the total number of testimonials I have a nice round fat 100; and to those who chose to follow the tradition, to initiate the art of socialising and expressing one's gratitude and happiness with.. a handshake! :)

Thanks for the gifts too! A Maxim magazine, black pepper crab, a DVC, a bag and some shirts and a slice of cake from Chocz. Thank you! You know who you are. Especially the Maxim-ners.

So I've turned 18. A quarter of my life is gone. While I have a significant level of confidence that if I should cease to exist now, happy memories would be shared and laughed about at my funeral, there are several unpleasant memories that would stay. And to these people, I apologise. For the hurts, for the lies, for the insensitive things I've said, the deeds I have done.

You know the best thing about birthdays is neither the presents nor the wishes but the messages cause in each message, is a grain of sand. and I am made up of these grains. But each grain is different, different uses, different characteristics. Some grains propel towards beaches, others towards grass patches, others towards bottles and jars, some thrown on the ground and others gone with the wind.

And how does this apply to me? Simply cause I know who knows me. and I know who thinks they know me. And I know what I appear to be to others.

And so the question arises. Do i consolidate all the grains and make them like one? Or let it be?

Death is no respecter of man and of traditions. It can come like a lion in the day or like a thief at night. Know death, no life.