The day I turned 15 years old will forever remain etched in my memory, not because of the joy and celebration one would typically associate with a birthday, but because of the deep sense of sadness and loneliness that enveloped me. It was a day like no other, as it became painfully clear that no one had wished me a happy birthday.

Birthdays are supposed to be a time of happiness, a day when you feel loved and cherished by friends and family. They’re moments when you’re reminded of your importance in the lives of those around you. However, as the clock ticked on my 22nd birthday, the lack of well-wishes from loved ones weighed heavily on my heart.

The morning began like any other, with the sun rising in the sky, casting a warm glow through my window. I woke up with a sense of anticipation, knowing that it was my special day. I expected a flurry of messages, calls, and perhaps even a surprise celebration from friends and family.

As the hours passed, I eagerly checked my phone, expecting the familiar notifications of birthday wishes. But to my surprise, my phone remained silent. No calls, no texts, and no social media notifications greeted me. I couldn’t help but feel a growing sense of disappointment and sadness.

I questioned whether I had somehow lost contact with everyone, if my social media profiles were malfunctioning, or if I had somehow missed an important detail. I rechecked my birthdate on my profiles, hoping it was a simple oversight. But everything was in order. It was indeed my birthday, and yet the day felt far from special.