I miss my mom and dad. They brought me into this world and I wish

Opening Scene – Narrated by Host

The soft murmur of the evening breeze stirred the curtains in the quiet room, the faint sound of distant traffic humming in the background. Jack sat by the window, his fingers absentmindedly tracing the edge of his mug, the steam rising gently before dissipating into the still air. The city outside continued its usual rhythm, but inside, the space felt almost too quiet. It was his birthday, but it didn’t feel like one.

Jeeny entered the room, a gentle smile on her face, but there was a softness in her eyes as she saw the quiet weight that seemed to hang in the air around Jack. She paused for a moment before sitting beside him, sensing the heaviness in his thoughts.

Jeeny: “You’ve been quiet today. What’s on your mind?”

Jack turned toward her slowly, his expression thoughtful but tinged with something deeper. He looked at her for a moment before responding, his voice soft.

Jack: “I was thinking about something Sonu Sood said once. He said, ‘I miss my mom and dad. They brought me into this world and I wish they were with me on my birthday. So I don’t celebrate it much.’ And I get that. I’ve always had mixed feelings about birthdays. It’s supposed to be a celebration, right? But sometimes, it just feels empty. I think about my parents, how they’re not here anymore, and it makes it hard to celebrate.”

Jeeny’s expression softened, and she placed her hand gently over his, offering quiet comfort. She understood the complexity of emotions surrounding milestones like birthdays—how they could bring joy, but also stir up memories of those who were no longer there to share them.

Jeeny: “I can imagine how hard that must be. Birthdays are supposed to be a time for celebration, but when the people you love aren’t around to share them, it can feel like something’s missing. You’re not alone in that, Jack. A lot of people feel that way—like the day becomes a reminder of something they’ve lost, rather than just a celebration of who they are.”

Host: The room seemed quieter now, the weight of the conversation settling in between them. The flicker of the candlelight cast long shadows across the room, making everything feel just a little more intimate, as if the space itself was a reflection of the complex emotions Jack was experiencing.

Jack: “Yeah, it’s strange. Even though I’m surrounded by people I care about, it’s the absence of my parents that makes this day feel different. It’s like the joy of the day gets lost in the memories of the ones I’ve lost. I don’t know. I don’t really feel like celebrating. It just feels like another day where I’m reminded of what’s missing.”

Jeeny: “It’s okay to feel that way. You don’t have to celebrate if you’re not ready. Sometimes, it’s okay to just be with those feelings, to honor them, instead of forcing yourself into a celebration. It’s not about ignoring the sadness—it’s about giving yourself the space to feel it and acknowledge it. You don’t have to make it a big thing if it doesn’t feel right.”

Host: The room was still, the air filled with the quiet comfort of understanding. Jack looked out the window again, his gaze distant, as though trying to make sense of the feelings that swirled inside him. The weight of loss, mixed with the complexity of the day, felt heavier than usual, but there was also a sense of release in admitting it.

Jack: “I guess I’ve just been holding onto this idea that birthdays are supposed to be full of joy. But maybe they don’t have to be. Maybe it’s enough to just take the day as it comes, without expectations. I don’t need to celebrate if it feels wrong. I just need to honor the memories and be present with them.”

Jeeny: “Exactly. You don’t have to fit into anyone’s idea of what a celebration should be. It’s your day, and it’s okay to spend it however feels right to you. If it’s about remembering your parents, honoring their memory, then that’s the celebration. And it doesn’t need to be loud or extravagant—it just needs to be real.”

Host: Jack nodded slowly, the weight of his thoughts settling into a quiet sense of understanding. He realized that it wasn’t about the outward celebration—it was about finding peace with the memories, with the people he had lost, and with the person he had become in their absence. The day didn’t need to be filled with external joy. It could simply be a time to reflect, to honor, and to be present with those feelings.

Jack: “I think I’m starting to understand. Maybe this day doesn’t have to be about celebrating with others in the usual way. It can be about remembering, reflecting, and just being with myself. I don’t have to make it anything more than that.”

Jeeny: “Exactly. And if you want to celebrate in your own way, even if it’s quiet or small, that’s okay, too. The important thing is that you give yourself permission to feel what you need to feel.”

Climax and Reconciliation

Jack sat back in his chair, the realization settling into him. He didn’t need to force himself to celebrate in the traditional sense, nor did he have to feel guilty about it. It was enough to honor the people he had lost, to acknowledge their place in his life, and to give himself permission to just be. The day could be whatever he needed it to be—simple, quiet, and filled with meaningful reflection.

Host: The room seemed warmer now, not from the temperature, but from the understanding they shared. The weight of Jack’s feelings had been acknowledged, and in that space, he found peace. The celebration wasn’t in the outward festivities—it was in the quiet moments of remembering, of honoring the past, and of allowing himself to simply exist with the memories of those he loved. The day was his, and that was enough.