The first thing Pacen asked me on my birthday was if I had cried when I woke up. I cried when I turned 25 cause I thought of it as being a quarter of a century old. I cried last year cause, well, I don't know why. Possibly because I knew in two short years I would hit 30. This year I actually didn't cry. I'm surprised I didn't, but I think I know why I didn't. Recently my mom told me 40 is supposedly the new 30 so in my head, 30 is the new 20. So I won't be 30 next year, I'll be 20 again! Yay!! Thanks mom!
I had a really good birthday, especially considering I was worried about some family health issues going on at the same time. The Friday before my birthday I got to spend the evening with my long-time best friend, Sunny. It was a night of great food, a good movie, good coffee, some needed laughs, and absolutely wonderful company! On my birthday I worked, but I got to enjoy dinner at The Pizza Place with Raine, Pacen, and my dad. (Mom was on her way to Missouri to be with my family as my Grandpa had a small stroke on the 1st.) After dinner we went to my house for cake that Nan (my Grandma) had made and then I lifted weights with Raine and Amanda while Pacen was at wrestling practice. Tonight I am joining some great friends and my wonderful sisters for a late birthday celebration. I feel extremely lucky to have so many great people in my life and I don't know what I would do without them!
On a side note, as you may know I compare my life to a bubble. I'm just trying to float through life without 'popping" and over the years there have been some "sharp objects" thrown in my path that have threatened just that, and I must say this past year consisted of one of the biggest obstacles I've had to deal with. I have made it through the worst part, but not without some "scars". I realize, though, that all the obstacles I've overcome have only made me stronger. They have caused me to have realizations about what I want out of life and, therefore, have somewhat caused me to become a new person. I'm stronger, full of even more determination, wiser, and "harder". I'm not completely changed...I still have compassion, I'm still a "softy", I still tend to wear my emotions on my sleeve, I still have a hard time being mean (unless it's called for)...but I am done sitting around and taking crap off people and I am going to start living life the way I want. I am going to follow my dreams and I'm not going to let anyone get in my way (except for Pacen). That is kind of a birthday present to myself...giving myself permission to do what I want without feeling selfish.
Self-portrait of a 29-year-old! :)
"What could be more beautiful than a dear old lady growing wise with age? Every age can be enchanting, provided you live within it." ~ Brigitte Bardot