By daily 
I woke up early, my heart filled with a small glimmer of hope. Birthdays are supposed to feel special, like the world pauses for just a moment to remind you that you matter. I sat up in bed, checking my phone almost immediately, expecting it to light up with messages—warm wishes from friends, family, anyone. I wanted to feel that connection, that moment when people remember and show you love.
But as the minutes turned to hours, the screen remained dark. No notifications. No messages. No simple “Happy birthday.”
I tried to brush it off at first. People are busy, I told myself. They’ll remember later. But as the day wore on, the silence started to weigh heavy on my heart. I watched others go about their lives, smiling, talking, laughing, while my own birthday quietly slipped by, unnoticed.
I didn’t need gifts. I didn’t need a party or a grand celebration. The only thing I truly wanted—the only gift that would mean the world to me—was a simple wish. Just a few words from someone saying, “Happy birthday. I’m thinking of you.” That’s all. It didn’t need to be big or extravagant. Just a reminder that I wasn’t invisible.