Birthday

It's birthday season again. Happy Birthday to me! I had a good birthday.

It started the day before. Leah and I had plans to hang out and watch a movie. I thought it was just going to be a low key evening, just her and me. I got there and shouted a hello as I walked in, and she answered back "I'm in the living room playing guitar hero!" Oh, so that's what kind of night this is going to be, I thought. And I walked around the corner - and lots my friends popped out! It was a surprise party! Leah had even tracked down some of my work friends (through an email I'd sent to them all). She'd considered my favorite kind of cake, music, and movies. I was so impressed. Thanks, hon.

My actual birthday was actually kinda low key, but that was nice. Justin had just gotten home from Nova Scotia that morning, so we hung out together when I got off work. It was so nice to see him again. We went out for dinner, and then we came back to my place and fell asleep! It sounds dull but it was so nice.

The next day was the birthday party I planned. Many of my friends and I went out for dinner together. It was an easy party to plan: I didn't have to do any cooking or cleaning! It was nice to be surrounded by people I care about, people who care about me. I only wish I had more attention to share around the table - I wanted to be part of all the conversations.

I'm older now. But I've been getting used to this new age for the last few months, so it doesn't feel like a big change all of the sudden. Sometimes, though, when I compare my life with other people my age or younger, I feel like I'm falling behind, like I haven't achieved much in comparison. Most of the time I realize that my life is what it needs to be, but every so often that feeling sneaks up on me.

On a birthday card to me, one friend wrote: Please know no matter how busy or flaky I am, I am constantly grateful to have you as a friend. You are wonderful and I always adore you. That was nice to hear, because we don't get much time together and sometimes that makes me wonder. Other cards hilighted the journey aspect of life and how they are glad we walk it together.