On Wednesday, September 5th, 1979
at 11:16 pm, I came into this big ol' world. Hurricane David was wreaking
havoc on the southeast and just making it to the hospital was reason enough to
celebrate. For many, many years it seemed like it rained every year on my
birthday. I don't know if it's supposed to rain tomorrow, but I do know
that on Friday, September 5th, 2014 at 11:16 pm (and not ONE minute before,
mind you), I will be thirty-five years old.
Thirty. Five.
Now, thirty-five is not old. At this point in my life, fifty doesn't seem old. But in the context of ME (as in, "I am thirty-five years old"), it seems decrepit. Emily's first grade teacher was born in 1987 and when I learned this, I died a little inside. I was eight when she was born. I was watching Shera, Princess of Power and turning Capri Sun boxes into My Little Pony stables while she was cooing sweetly. It's just not right.
When I was staring down thirty and eying that decade of life I had myself a little fit. I realized I wasn't going to be 'in my 20s' any longer. For some unknown reason (probably me just being dramatic, honestly), I thought the best way to come to grips with this new reality was to take a little browse through Talbots. I figured I'd be wearing those clothes soon enough and I should just know my options. Bad idea. Lovely clothes...bad idea. I left almost as quickly as I walked in and promptly made my way out of there, past Coldwater Creek, to the Great American Cookie Company where I consumed an undisclosed number of calories.
And then I had a moment of clarity... I thought, instead of lamenting the passing of my youth, I could embrace it by reflecting on all the things I'd done and accomplished in my 20s. It was no measly list. It included: graduating college, getting married, tackling law school with my husband, having a very successful job in the marketplace, giving birth to our first baby girl, making a move to a brand new place and starting fresh... Things a lot of people don't do by the time they're thirty, if at all. This didn't (and doesn't) make me better. It just offered some perspective.
I'll be in my mid-thirties tomorrow night. On the downhill slope, clawing back up at the edge of thirty and slipping on down into those very 'established' years. I'm resigned. I'd rather be thirty-five than dead. And you know, that is not all I've learned and come to believe in the thirty-five years of my adult life. (Sarcasm.)
Here goes...
1) When you get dressed in the morning and leave your house, you are committed to that outfit for the day. Choose wisely.
2) Just because leggings are in style doesn't mean you have to wear them. The same is true for skinny jeans. No one will mind if you skip these fashions and stick with bootcut.
3) Some friendships don't last forever. Some aren't supposed to. That doesn't mean they weren't what they were supposed to be in their season, but seasons change. Dress your heart for the weather.
4) You can be honest and still be kind.
5) Dean's French Onion dip is really just as good as French's French Onion dip.
6) Spring for the Heinz. Hunts is crap.
7) Self tanner is a pain in the rear and as soon as you come to terms with your fair skin the sooner you'll be comfortable in it.
8) Sometimes the best reaction is no action.
9) If your order is wrong, send it back. You deserve to get what you're paying for. And be kind to your server because the error probably wasn't on them.
10) When in doubt, go with black.
11) Your closest friends won't mind if you're nursing and will bring macaroons. These are your dearests.
12) Reality television is all the drama you need.
13) Don't talk yourself out of getting up and getting dressed and getting out. The world may need a little awesome that day and it may all be up to you.
14) You are not responsible for the happiness of others and you can't please everyone all of the time.
15) It is okay to say 'No'.
16) God made Betty Crocker so you could enjoy your life. Add eggs, oil and water, then praise Him, saints.
17) If you can't afford a new outfit, buy new earrings and a new lipstick. Instant makeover.
18) You can't always help how you feel. You're a human with a soul and emotions so you will feel. And that's okay.
19) You are responsible for how you deal with your feelings.
20) Manners matter. Don't forget that or them.
21) School. Pizza.
22) Start out the way you want to finish out and finish well.
23) Baby Powder is best left to actual baby powder and has no business as a candle scent. If you value your olfactory senses just stay away from these completely and forever.
24) It's best to wait another few minutes to be sure there's no more poop. Otherwise that value size box of diapers is gonna be gone real quick.
25) If you say it, own it.
26) Your family is a gift and the most precious thing you'll have outside of salvation. Be kind and gracious. Nothing is better than living in harmony with your family.
27) It's okay to ride alone in your car and not turn on any music or call a friend. It's okay to be quiet. If you can stand being quiet with yourself you're probably doing just fine.
28) You'll think up the best quips and retorts while standing in the shower naked. This is humbling. Since popping off at the mouth usually makes a person look ridiculous, imagine saying what you're thinking when you're naked and I bet you won't say it after all.
29) A schedule helps but it's great if you can be flexible. If you can't be flexible, at least be on time.
30) Step outside of your comfort zone at least once in life.
31) Keep your relationship with your spouse sacred. Don't share too much. Knowing you can trust someone you love with the deepest parts of your heart is priceless. Being trusted with that is beyond.
32) Learn how to turn off the windshield wipers in your car or you'll just look like an idiot trying to play off all those quick windshield washes. After about 8 times the jig is up.
33) Be the bigger man. It's worth it. At least you'll respect yourself.
34) If you can get by with a ponytail one more day and avoid the hourlong styling commitment of a shampoo and blow-out you should try it.
35) Don't be surprised if you get everything in life you've ever wanted by the time you're 35. Just be grateful.
"So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom." - Psalm 90:12
Thirty. Five.
Now, thirty-five is not old. At this point in my life, fifty doesn't seem old. But in the context of ME (as in, "I am thirty-five years old"), it seems decrepit. Emily's first grade teacher was born in 1987 and when I learned this, I died a little inside. I was eight when she was born. I was watching Shera, Princess of Power and turning Capri Sun boxes into My Little Pony stables while she was cooing sweetly. It's just not right.
When I was staring down thirty and eying that decade of life I had myself a little fit. I realized I wasn't going to be 'in my 20s' any longer. For some unknown reason (probably me just being dramatic, honestly), I thought the best way to come to grips with this new reality was to take a little browse through Talbots. I figured I'd be wearing those clothes soon enough and I should just know my options. Bad idea. Lovely clothes...bad idea. I left almost as quickly as I walked in and promptly made my way out of there, past Coldwater Creek, to the Great American Cookie Company where I consumed an undisclosed number of calories.
And then I had a moment of clarity... I thought, instead of lamenting the passing of my youth, I could embrace it by reflecting on all the things I'd done and accomplished in my 20s. It was no measly list. It included: graduating college, getting married, tackling law school with my husband, having a very successful job in the marketplace, giving birth to our first baby girl, making a move to a brand new place and starting fresh... Things a lot of people don't do by the time they're thirty, if at all. This didn't (and doesn't) make me better. It just offered some perspective.
I'll be in my mid-thirties tomorrow night. On the downhill slope, clawing back up at the edge of thirty and slipping on down into those very 'established' years. I'm resigned. I'd rather be thirty-five than dead. And you know, that is not all I've learned and come to believe in the thirty-five years of my adult life. (Sarcasm.)
Here goes...
1) When you get dressed in the morning and leave your house, you are committed to that outfit for the day. Choose wisely.
2) Just because leggings are in style doesn't mean you have to wear them. The same is true for skinny jeans. No one will mind if you skip these fashions and stick with bootcut.
3) Some friendships don't last forever. Some aren't supposed to. That doesn't mean they weren't what they were supposed to be in their season, but seasons change. Dress your heart for the weather.
4) You can be honest and still be kind.
5) Dean's French Onion dip is really just as good as French's French Onion dip.
6) Spring for the Heinz. Hunts is crap.
7) Self tanner is a pain in the rear and as soon as you come to terms with your fair skin the sooner you'll be comfortable in it.
8) Sometimes the best reaction is no action.
9) If your order is wrong, send it back. You deserve to get what you're paying for. And be kind to your server because the error probably wasn't on them.
10) When in doubt, go with black.
11) Your closest friends won't mind if you're nursing and will bring macaroons. These are your dearests.
12) Reality television is all the drama you need.
13) Don't talk yourself out of getting up and getting dressed and getting out. The world may need a little awesome that day and it may all be up to you.
14) You are not responsible for the happiness of others and you can't please everyone all of the time.
15) It is okay to say 'No'.
16) God made Betty Crocker so you could enjoy your life. Add eggs, oil and water, then praise Him, saints.
17) If you can't afford a new outfit, buy new earrings and a new lipstick. Instant makeover.
18) You can't always help how you feel. You're a human with a soul and emotions so you will feel. And that's okay.
19) You are responsible for how you deal with your feelings.
20) Manners matter. Don't forget that or them.
21) School. Pizza.
22) Start out the way you want to finish out and finish well.
23) Baby Powder is best left to actual baby powder and has no business as a candle scent. If you value your olfactory senses just stay away from these completely and forever.
24) It's best to wait another few minutes to be sure there's no more poop. Otherwise that value size box of diapers is gonna be gone real quick.
25) If you say it, own it.
26) Your family is a gift and the most precious thing you'll have outside of salvation. Be kind and gracious. Nothing is better than living in harmony with your family.
27) It's okay to ride alone in your car and not turn on any music or call a friend. It's okay to be quiet. If you can stand being quiet with yourself you're probably doing just fine.
28) You'll think up the best quips and retorts while standing in the shower naked. This is humbling. Since popping off at the mouth usually makes a person look ridiculous, imagine saying what you're thinking when you're naked and I bet you won't say it after all.
29) A schedule helps but it's great if you can be flexible. If you can't be flexible, at least be on time.
30) Step outside of your comfort zone at least once in life.
31) Keep your relationship with your spouse sacred. Don't share too much. Knowing you can trust someone you love with the deepest parts of your heart is priceless. Being trusted with that is beyond.
32) Learn how to turn off the windshield wipers in your car or you'll just look like an idiot trying to play off all those quick windshield washes. After about 8 times the jig is up.
33) Be the bigger man. It's worth it. At least you'll respect yourself.
34) If you can get by with a ponytail one more day and avoid the hourlong styling commitment of a shampoo and blow-out you should try it.
35) Don't be surprised if you get everything in life you've ever wanted by the time you're 35. Just be grateful.
"So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom." - Psalm 90:12
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