All these biological and chronological ages are fairly recent developments. How I got interested? My interest got acutely, actively, and seriously kindled when my Oncologist discussed something about these terms that related directly to me. When self is involved, selfishness leaps out with the broadest smile and powerful energy. Some time back, it seems for patients treated with radiation therapy, hormone injections were not given for people above 75 or so. Disclaimer - I do not know if this is for only prostate gland cancer or all forms of cancer. In due course, it was decided the need for hormone injections would be based on biological rather than chronological age. Here is where the succulent words come out. "You look 15 years younger, Sir. So you need hormone injection for one to one and a half years." Honey-sweet words or honey-coated ones to prepare me for lengthy hormone therapy? Anyway, though I could not perform any tap dance, my mind was like popcorn at the height of its preparation. Jumping with joy. Truth most inconveniently peeks out of the mirage-screen when ego decides to leave. I came to the conclusion this was a ploy to quieten down my rebellious mind, which was always complaining after every injection. Anyway, those few minutes when I deluded myself about the youthfulness of my bones and muscle, mind, and body gave me transient pleasure.

Coming back to the topic of chronological-based birthday celebrations. It was funny in some ways. My elder son was born in June when schools were closed for summer holidays in India. And the second son was born on India’s Republic Day when it is a national holiday. They could never even distribute sweets to their classmates.

Maybe occasionally, we might have invited a friend or two.

June was a peculiar month for me. Happy days since my elder son’s and my wife’s birthday as well as our wedding anniversary all were in that month. But I had to keep a careful eye on the drain this was causing on the only bank account I had. Balance precariously poised with a threat at bankruptcy.

But I managed. Didn’t I? So does everyone, I presume.

And to think of birthday celebrations now….

Continued in 270. +1 - Part 4