57 years ago today, I was born to a woman who hated me. She used to tell me I was a mistake, but once I learned what birds and bees are, I threw it back in her face. Calling me a mistake stopped abruptly.
The good news is, despite the mental illness she gave me, the years of peer torture, a marriage to someone who had no respect for me, and loads of other fun events, "the kid is all right".
I never would have gotten this far if it wasn't for all the wonderful friends I have. Cliche perhaps, but true. I wasn't always an introspective person and I spent years totally self-consumed, but my friends stuck by me anyway. And that's the best birthday present this old lady could ever ask to have.
That, and taking the day off from work :)