31 (and fun!)

Well I am officially "in" my 30's.  That's no big deal when I talk to all the "adults" in my life.  Just wait till your 40, or wait till your 50, or 60 is what kills you... they say.

I went all out for my 30th.  Because I knew my future years would be taming down.  I have never had a wild and crazy birthday.  Age 10= Double Dare Live at the old Rosemont Age 16=sick as a dog, friends came over, and I love them to this day for eating the cake I blew the candles out on, didn't get that magical license you think you are going to get on the 16th birthday, I was still in the class.  Age 18=Miraculously the weather was like 60 degrees and the state was in shorts and tshirts, bought some lotto tickets and a pack of cigarettes.  Age 21= sat at home and studied for a huge nursing exam.  Age 25=very special... my golden birthday, sick again, but had many fun surprises.  Age 30= Key West, booze cruises, nude bars, swimming with dolphins, and sunsets...

Now I am 31.  And as I review all those birthdays and all the others that were in between... all that really mattered is that my friends and family were there.  And at every age they almost always were.  Gifts are fun, but what matters more is that they show up for a dinner I plan, go to a hockey game, put on cone hats and eat cupcakes, or slap on a pair of roller skates and skate to songs of the late 80's, even though we were all 23 years old.

Not that this is anything new, but I am reminded almost daily how precious life is, if something is not happening in  your life that makes you know that, just watch the news.  I have been a little extra teary eyed lately due to a friend of a friend losing her battle with cancer at the age of 29.  If that doesn't hit home.  Nothing will.  So, when I feel like my birthday is not "special" anymore, I remember that actually, it is.

My day consisted of going door to door and collecting all my free birthday goodies from particular stores.  It was nice to just have a day where I did whatever I wanted.  My request for my birthday to my mom was some floor lamps, which was received with an "are you crazy?" this was followed by my 2nd request to make beef stroganoff, which she obliged and my parents brought over to our house complete with the noodles and dessert.  My birthday dinner was excellent.  It was overall a very relaxing Tuesday.

I may not have that extra hop in my step, like when I was younger, or that gleam in my eye, but I suppose that is a part of growing up and I have had many wonderful birthdays to look back on, and there are sure to be many more to come... but yes, I am now "in" my 30's.

A birthday is just the first day of another 365 day journey around the sun.  Enjoy the trip.  -Unknown