Birthdays and Blessings

36. THIRTY-SIX. I'll admit...I've had some struggles with this birthday, specifically the number attached to it. How is it possible I am 36? Demographics run 18-35...I no longer fit that and I sort of find it unacceptable. I love birthdays and the fun that goes with them, but I dislike being on the Age Train that is zooming faster and faster to....wherever the Age Train goes. I don't feel any different than I did 5, 10 or 15 years ago, but all of a sudden I am realizing I am heading toward 40. There is nothing wrong with 40, I have just always felt it was waaaay in the future.

And then, because my birthday fell on a Sunday, I headed to church and let Jesus tap me on the shoulder a bit and remind me that as my age increases, my blessings seemed to have increased as well. I wanted to write them down now, as a thanks to God for them, and because I know there will be days I will forget how blessed I am and I will need the reminder.

..... Saturday night I had a kitchen full of women who I have known only a short while, gathering to celelrate my birthday. They were over the top generous towards me and I am blessed by them. I laughed a lot (which is essential in any of my friendships) and really focused on how amazing it is that we found this town, this street, to move to. It was such a fluke and almost didn't happen. But, because life is crazy like that, here we are!
..... Chris gave me time and space to go pamper myself yesterday and when I got home, I had a birthday cake, fully decorate waiting for me. I don't know how he did it... the kitchen was sparking clean, the cake was already frosted and had cute decorating and was sitting on a cake plate.
..... Will, Drew, and Anna had picked out cute birthday gifts for me - giftcards for iTunes, clothes and jewelry. They were so proud - could not wait for me to open them and just grinned from ear to ear. I had a "mom moment" realizing they are these little individuals who see me as a real person with hobbies and likes - "you like pink a lot" and "you like to listen to music when you exercise" and it just made the day even more special to me. They were involved in celebrating it and they cared about making me happy.
....All morning my phone rang and buzzed with calls and texts from friends and family...my favorites being the text that read "Happy 25th!" and the phone call with a Happy Birthday to You serenade sung by my best friend's family. I laughed out loud and teared up a bit too, because they are all such special people and I miss them greatly. But I get to see them soon, and that warms my heart.

I know there are those that consider birthdays just another regular day. I don't...to me there is nothing better than knowing I am surrounded by love and friendship. I think it sends a good message to my children about what is important in life - not our age, but what we do with ourselves, each and every day for others. So I'll hop onto the Age Train happily now, because I know it doesn't matter where I live or who I spend time with, I've got people all around me to keep me company. After all, I still feel like I am 29, so.... Choo Choo!!!