2319: My Most Memorable Birthday

Yesterday, after classes, I had an hour-long conversation with my sister and classmates, about planning something for my upcoming birthday on September 26th. Although we made progress in our planning, the details are not fully solidified yet. When I made it home for the day, my thoughts turned to my most memorable birthday and what they mean to me now.

Turning twenty-two, soon to be twenty-three this year, is something my thirteen-year-old self would have considered as "you're getting old, bro." However, I personally see it as an opportunity to grow wiser, which makes the reality of getting older feel less daunting.

My most memorable birthday was my 20th birthday, on September 26th, 2020. It came just after the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic and a month before I was hospitalized for a blood clot in my left leg. This was probably the most nerve-racking moment of my life as I had no idea what the future held. I had heard countless unsettling stories about people with blood clots, and it was challenging to quiet those fears. The most persistent question in my mind was, "Why me? I'm not even 20 years old yet." I struggled to comprehend why I deserved this. Looking back, two years after recovering from the clot, I realize that it wasn't a punishment but rather a wake-up call to become more self-aware.

I remember the day vividly: Saturday, September 26, 2020, I was watching an Ole Miss vs. Florida football game, I was glued to the TV. My family members were coming and going from the house, but I thought nothing of it, assuming they had tasks that didn't require my assistance.

However, my dad eventually joined me to watch the game until halftime. Then, my mom handed me a shirt and said to put it on and come outside. The T-shirt said “Twenty and Quarantined” and I still thought nothing of it, and stepped outside, where I was met with a balloon arch at the end of our driveway.

Moments later, my closest college classmates drove by, honking their horns and wishing me a "happy birthday." My family had pulled off a surprise party for me during the chaotic pandemic, leaving me utterly speechless. Until that birthday, I had never felt such profound happiness on my special day. It served as a powerful reminder of the true significance of birthdays, often overshadowed by routine celebrations and the importance of cherishing the moments that truly matter.

This week's challenge: Reflect on your most memorable birthday and how your view of them has changed over time.

Keep Striving,

Zechariah Davis

Song of the week:

• Tuscan Leather- Drake

Quote of the week:

• "The odds increase, the more you try." - James Clear

Podcast I recommend:

#1. Change Your Brain: The Power Of Neuroplasticity And Braincare - Dr Tara Swart

Host: Ali Abdaal