36 Trips Around the Sun

I love birthdays in general. I get all nostalgic and thankful and giddy and excited. Birthdays make me think about years past and adventures to come. When it's my own kids I get super teary. How are my babies growing so fast? When it's family and friends I think about how we came to be in each other's lives and how much they mean to me. When it's my own birthday...bars and lyrics from Destiny's Child's "I'm A Survivor" play through my head! Numerous split second decisions combined with angels in disguise allowed me to hold fast to the joys and trauma from an unstable upbringing. So every birthday I am equal parts thankful (my momma is the strongest person I know and endured some pretty awful things to raise me) and excited (my incredibly loving family puts up with my wacky ideas) about what the new year may bring.

A colleague attempting to be kind or silly, wished me a happy 6th 30th birthday. I laughed and encouraged them to embrace all 36 years- I do! Every year is a blessing. I am not embarrassed or ashamed to claim each year. There is no need to lie or hide it. I once read an article featuring Black women who wear their hair naturally gray as they age. One woman's quote stuck with me: "I consider the grays the 'highlights' of my life". I love that! And who knows, should the whim strike, you may find me at 40 (God-willing) with wisps of neon purple for the fun of it. But you won't find me feeling dismayed about another trip around the sun, should I be so lucky to take it...

So, this year's birthday week was more laid back than usual. Living in a new place means I have yet to discover all the birthday discounts and freebies this place has to offer. In Reno, I knew the breakfast spots, the free car wash spot, the discount clothing spot, and on and on. This year's celebration has been condensed into a one weekend. Thanks to our friend and mentor Rachel, Friday night was spent at a gorgeous lake house overlooking blue waters dotted with ducks. We hiked a water fall, played games, put together puzzles, ate lots of cake, painted our nails, and hit up a playground on a beach. Back home we did our own spa day (nothing I have found here compares to the Peppermill or the 20% discount they offer!), watched movies, and ate more cake! We also played with Shorty (more to come about Shorty later ;)

Thank you for the birthday calls, texts, facebook messages, and cards :-)
And a huge Happy Birthday to my friends with February birthdays! <3 nbsp="" p="">

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