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Happy Birthday to Me

I turned 30 at 4:56 p.m. Friday. As a kid I had imagined what it would be like to turn 20...30...40...and so on. So far, none of it has been anything like I imagined. This birthday was, in fact, so much better than I could have imagined.

It all started when the puppy woke me at 4:30 to go out. My husband stirred from his slumber long enough to wish me a happy birthday. I wore a delightfully girly skirt to work. When I stepped out of my car at work, I discovered two of my co-workers decorating my classroom door with a banner and bows. I felt like a sorority sister, an experience I didn't get to have because of my non-traditional college years.
My students gave me gifts and cards all throughout the day, including this poem that made me cry:
You are my teacher,
The feather in my heavy burdens
The light at the end of the...
classroom
The source of my writing soul
and the drive of the spirit
That lies in these words
I write and release.

You are my toughest critic
The knower of my quirks
Omniscient
The world I now use
to describe you
The word you taught
me in seventh grade
The world I know from you
The teacher that has
seen through any facade
I have put up.
You've torn them down
Thank you
&
Happy Birthday

I told her I would post the poem here. She loved the idea. My in-laws sent me flowers. My friend made me wear a "Birthday Girl" ribbon all day--I chose to wear it in my hair. I went to dinner with my husband and some friends. We laughed and told stories and spent much longer at the table than I had expected.


Saturday included a fun shopping excursion and time with my family. My mother told me she hopes there is snow on the ground next weekend when I drive her home so she can have a snowball fight with me--my first. My nephews gave me great story-telling material and lots of hugs and kisses. My birthday dinner consisted of more story-telling, intellectual conversation, and laughter over biscuits and gravy and raspberry swirl cake.

The evening ended with traipsing through downtown Orlando dressed like a prep from 1987 laughing at the looks from passersby...and lots of insanely ridiculous dancing...and plans for going bowling in prom dresses.

Today, my husband has spent all day with me in front of the t.v., alternately watching movies and taking naps and eating Chinese food and ice cream cake. Each piece of this weekend celebration has touched some aspect of my personality and has been so much more fun and healing than I could have ever imagined. Many, many thanks to everyone who made this birthday so memorable for me.

My fortune cookie today said: Life is either a great adventure or nothing at all. Sounds like a good motto for the next decade!

Comments

Rebecca Jeffries-Hyman said…
What a beautiful poem! And such a treasure to know that you were the inspiration!!
Happy birthday, friend, and know that 30 really is funner than 20 :)

<3 Christy
2:03 PM
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