In "Station Eleven" by Emily St. John Mandel, Clark reflects on the nature of birthdays, highlighting their consistency as they occupy the same date each year. This serves as a reminder of the passage of time, which seems to accelerate as we age. Clark's thoughts bring a sense of nostalgia and contemplation about the fleeting nature of life. The conversation reveals a deeper understanding of how moments are anchored in time, even as the world around us changes. Birthdays, with their predictable arrival, contrast with the rapid progression of years, prompting reflections on memory and the significance we assign to certain dates.

You remembered. Of course, Clark said. That's one thing I like about birthdays, they stay in one place. Same spot on the calendar, year in, year out. But the years keep going faster, have you noticed?