Birthdays
I've been thinking about the weight people tend to give birthdays, particularly in the formative years. 18th seems open and shut, most of humanity considers it to be the beginning of adulthood and the intricacies of our lives often reflect that belief. A 50th or 100th exists in this same domain. We have 10 digits, our 10th or 100th birthday feels landmarked by that reflection in our biology. I'm more concerned about 'checkpoint birthdays'; a "sweet 16th" or a 21st. Sure, there are things like the drinking age in the states or the freedom to join the armed forces that reinforce the importance of checkpoint birthdays, but in the short time I have left before I am engulfed by my own - I feel as if they serve best as points of reflection. 16 is arguably the peek of ones childhood, a 21st usually comes around the same time as someone first experiences real adult life, a 30th for some as a cruel reminder of how fast time can escape you.
As I've mentioned, I am approaching a checkpoint birthday. I complained that in the time leading up to it, I haven't really done anything apart from sit inside and die relentlessly in Demon Souls. My dad offered me one of these quotes that completely sits me down and shuts me up, something my dad has never been able to do on a good day. 'Maybe that wasted time could just be something you leave behind.'
Love you dad