A Birthday Thought

I keep wondering what is special about a birthday and why celebrate it? I understand when you're a child, your parents are excited to see you grow and throw you a party so you can blow the candles with your little friends. But as you mature I see it pointless.
A birthday marks the day you are getting older, wiser sure, but why celebrate it? Isn't it bad enough that all your friends and acquaintances, some of whom you might not have heard from during the year, remind you of that through a call, a message or a post on your Facebook wall?! 
On a more serious note, I personally think that birthdays are a time to think how have we spent the days of our lives. How much time have we wasted? How many opportunities did we miss to learn and improve ourselves? It is not a time to regret as much as it is to reflect and reach self awareness. How many changes do we need to make to be better people? How has our life benefitted others or made a difference in their lives? How has our journey been so far and how are we preparing for our final destination?
I don't want to sound like a party pooper, I just wanted to share my thoughts. Having said all that, I wish to sincerely thank everyone who wished me a happy birthday (including Google) and I wish you all, a life full of health, hope, happiness, and above all humanity.