I've never related to people who dislike the marking of theirbirthday.  I find my birthday to be a joyous and positively uplifting day.  Conversely, there are those who find rainy days to be uplifting and nourishing :-).

It is spring in the Land of Israel. The rain has stopped, the sun is shining, the birds are chirping and the smell of spring wafts through the air. A young maiden goes out to the vineyards for some fresh air and encounters a handsome-looking shepherd.

Even though they’re dead, they are not gone — they continue to find a way to help others out postmortem. These fallen giants provide “generational facilitation” in the afterlife, they continue to offer safety, nurture, love and protection from outside unhealthy influences, thus nurturing and making way for the new generation.

Adam was created from the dust (Chava from Adam's side).  It has been said that this is the reason that men are defensive and a bit ego focused.  After all, when they look back to their origins, it is just a mound of earth - not a very auspicious pedigree.

The Talmud tells a story about Rabbi Akiva and his colleagues. They were traveling to Jerusalem and arrived at Mount Scopus. When they arrived, they all tore their clothing.