thirty-five
My birthday came this year on the heels of the wildest storm I’ve seen in all my 9 summers in Kansas City! We lost power for less than 24 hours, but many of our neighbors didn’t fare so well, and are only now having their power restored. Somehow, our lilies survived the crazy winds, hailstones, and torrents of rain. And there they are below, getting poured on!
Walking around the neighborhood in the aftermath today, I saw some really big trees snapped halfway up the trunks. Some of them weren’t even 10 feet from the houses. Here in Kansas City, it’s pretty commonplace to hear sirens for tornado watches, but there was no warning at all this time!
Here’s our own backyard, with minimal damage compared to a lot of others:
That big branch did break a board in the fence, and smashed some of the tomato plants, but nothing hit the house. The photos are a little weird. I must have had my camera on the wrong setting.
Anyway, happy birthday to me!
This year, it feels different. It doesn’t hold that mile-marker feeling, or even that special-day quality. It’s not that exciting-surprise-me thing it was when I was a kid, nor is it that groan of another year older that’s been more common since I hit 30. (Am I really middle-aged now?)
It simply feels like another day I get to live, to breathe, to smile and laugh and love my girl, and walk hand in hand with David. It’s not so much about the half that’s gone or what I’ll do with the half (or so) that’s left, as much as it’s about today: this bit of lifetime I have in my hands right now.
I don’t really know how I’ll feel next year, and the year after, and the next after that, but I hope I never forget to be happy to have another day, and to be thankful for the raw sweetness of life.
Trees all around me have fallen too close not to be.
Happy Birthday, Mia! I’m looking forward to getting to know you better. Thanks for your comments they mean alot.
Mia! Oh my! I didn’t even know there was a storm! Happy birthday belated style. It’s refreshing and cool to hear you talk about how you feel this birthday. I have been feeling very similar to what you are saying. I will be 25 in September, L-rd willing, and I am extremely blessed. I hope that as I age I am not ashamed of the number that accompanies me, but filled with praise to the One who has gives life. While I haven’t been anxious about turning 25 my perspective on aging has changed.
Happy Belated Birthday!
Mia, I was googling Durango pics and found your blog. I live in KC and am thinking of moving to Durango. Where are you in relation to there?
I loved this post so thought I’d make a comment. I’m kind of in the place right now where all I hope to have is … “It simply feels like another day I get to live, to breathe, to smile and laugh and love my girl, and walk hand in hand with David. It’s not so much about the half that’s gone or what I’ll do with the half (or so) that’s left, as much as it’s about today: this bit of lifetime I have in my hands right now.”
I’m hoping to get that soon. Anyway good blog. 🙂 I’ll def keep reading.