Thanks for your kind gesture.

The younger me was unnecessarily rigid and uptight.

It appeared as though I loathed smiles because I seldom wore it.

I was nicknamed 'Bone Thugs' by my secondary school classmates, because, according to them, 'I use to bone my face' (wear a Stern look).

Their assertion was not in anyway wrong.

There are people who have known me for years, but are yet to know what my smiling face looks like, because they have never seen me smile.

Many don't also know what I look like when I shed tears, because they've never seen tears dropping from my eyes.

No one could readily tell my emotional state at a given time. You wouldn't know when I'm really happy or terribly pained.

I was that kind of person you would buy a precious gift for, and end up wondering if I appreciated the gift in anyway.

It isn't like I wouldn't utter words of appreciation, I would, but my facial expression and the tone of my voice wouldn't fail to betray my intent.

I earned the reputation of being rigid, cold, unemotional and unexpressive, which is quite ironic, considering the fact that I look way too simple and soft for such rugged reputation.

I can neither tell when nor can I state how I started changing, but what I do know is that over the years, a lot has changed about me.

I've grown softer than I was. I have become more expressive. I've even gotten better at expressing emotions.

As a matter of fact, little kind gestures now bring tears to my eyes. And one of those gestures that recently made my eyes teary is the massive love I received three days ago, which was the anniversary of my birth.

I'm aware of the preciousness of time, and I'm not ignorant of how busy life could be, that's the very reason I am intentionally reading through all your felicity, line upon line.

I don't intend to let any jot of encomium, wish or prayer that was directed towards me as a result of the anniversary of my birth, to fly over my head. I want to carefully consume all of it.

I have read some, and I would read all, no matter how long it would takes and I would duely reply all of it.

I Just want you all to know that I'm not taking any of this lightly. I very much appreciate the love you showed me.

To those that went further to substantiate their wishes in the way of sending in gifts, I can't truly put into words what that meant to me. It felt so good receiving those gifts from you.

I appreciate you in ways I can't convey with words.

I'm sending hugs to each and everyone of you.

Now I say that;

Our days will be filled with celebrations;

We will find the path of life and stick to it,

We will fulfil purpose,

we will finish our course here on earth in joy.

I love you all.

Meanwhile this is me smiling.

Oh it's not really a smile, I only displayed my teeth, but it's certainly not a stern look.