Jesse Ojuka

I don’t feel existential. Despite spending my birthday in a place I thought I would’ve never been just three months ago. A lot of the fear we feel is actually absorbed fear from others. Something to be very mindful of. Twenty seven. I feel older and younger at the same time. Older because of the life experience I’ve gained by being a journeyman, a curious cat. multicultural and risk taker. Younger because I still dine with my imagination, have a terribly high love for life and still feel and know there is so much ahead. 

I quite like being a man. When I was growing up I didn’t hear much of this conversation. How becoming an adult isn’t a walk through a door or a ceremonial occasion. It’s imperceptible and if one doesn’t pay close attention to their lives, who they are and who they want to be, some may never become who their supposed to be. I think one of the few things I do well is pay attention to life. I remember asking my friend how he felt on his birthday and the response was blue and languid. I imagine that is because birthdays often force us to reflect upon the totality of life. If we habitually neglect this, having to face it will be an uncomfortable experience. 

Life is quite a fickle thing. I very much love birthdays but whilst getting my haircut I bumped into an old friend and told him it was my birthday, he didn’t really care, nor did the lady handing me cakes. In fact she charged me more than I actually asked for. It just seems like everyone is too overwhelmed to care about these things anymore. Not about my birthday but about theirs, their friends. How many opportunities do we get to celebrate another person. Not many and not enough. I will care about my birthday until I’m 100 plus. The day we were brought into this life is important for us and everyone who has touched our lives. Granted, I’ll be keeping this one quite. 

Thanks life