A couple of days before the 13th, I started to think about why I was so unhappy about turning *0, and I realized it was mostly because I felt that I hadn't yet become the person I wanted to be.
Well, who has? A few people, I guess, but most of us feel we have room for improvement. And it wasn't as if I was going to DIE--I would still have time to make some progress after my birthday.
So, I started to think about what I'd done with my 30s, and I came up with this:
-met and married my husband
-had three kids
It doesn't sound like much, but it really was quite a bit! It's what I probably would have hoped to accomplish when I started my last decade.
Then I thought about my 20s, when I:
-got bachelor's and master's degrees
-started teaching English
-got my heart broken repeatedly
Even though my 20s were productive, I think my 30s were even better.
I was thinking we needed to fill up my birthday with activities to console me as I turned &0, but instead--thanks to my "amazing" breakthrough--I really did feel like I was able to celebrate the end of my 30s (you know you're getting old when you start thinking about your life in decades, I guess!) .
Anyway, this is what we did:
First, I took Janae to her scheduled session of Ready, Set, Learn. Since our little G will be starting kindergarten in the fall, she FINALLY got to attend this exciting event at Ben's elementary school.
Then, since it was a beautiful warm, sunny day, I worked in our garden with one of my favorite little helpers (who sang the entire time!).
Jason came home a little early and brought me a beautiful yellow lily (I'll have to look that up in my paper on Victorian flower symbolism--I think it means something like, "You're getting old and decrepit, but I still love you," but I'll have to double check.).
We had pizza for dinner and a Dairy Queen cake for dessert.
After that, it was off to a play put on by our local children's theater.
They were doing Snow White, and I finally agreed to let Janae wear a coordinating princess dress.
She ended up getting to go up onto the stage at the end (with a couple of other little Snow Whites) to meet the actress!! Unfortunately, I didn't have my camera--and Jason's BlackBerry had run too low on battery.
Alaina fell asleep on the way home, and then Ben read me a story.
There were birthday cards in the mail, and nice messages on the phone.
So, it was a good day.
And now that it's over, I guess I'd better admit it: I am 40.
Thankfully, that was the most painful part of it all ;)
3 comments:
You're wearing you DL shirt!! I'm glad you had a good day:) I hope you got my message. Your present was bough BEFORE your birthday, but it won't be in the mail until Monday...so your birthday can go on and on!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY.
I'm so glad you've made peace with this birthday! :) What you said is about your accomplishments in your 30s is exactly what I was intending to try to encourage you with - but I forgot to call. I really wanted to! I loved turning 30 because of all the transitions and changes in my 20s - all the big big decisions and things were complete, and now it was on with the rest of the adventure. I certainly don't know who I am or by any means feel that I have arrived, but it was nice to feel more grown up about things. And I really mean it when I say I have a hard time believing you are the age that you say you are!
PS: Can't wait to see how you're enjoying your yard and garden as spring is finally here!
It sounds like your Birthday was a good one, even though you didn't want to turn that dreaded age. I'm glad that you had a good time with your family. Thank you for sharing a slice of your delicious birthday cake with us:0)
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