Wow. 36. I never envisioned what life would be like at this age. I am not a huge birthday celebrator. My friend Mandy called it “nonchalant,” which I think is incredibly accurate & hilarious. I am not a super nonchalant person, but when it comes to celebrating the day I was born, I don’t care toooo much?
Yet, seeing messages from the handful (two or three) of people who really matter and remember me outside of social media makes me truly feel special and loved. My partner, my mother, my brother, my sister, my cousin, my BFFs from South Africa & London, my BFF from college, my mother in love, my preteen niece, and even my co-workers from my bookshop job.
My father is in my heart, obviously, imagining what he would tell me today, was on the top of my mind. Strange to grow older when someone integral to your life is not around.
We don’t need to matter to everyone, but mattering to the right people is where the magic lies.
Despite my lack of awareness of my birthday (I didn’t realize it until I saw messages this morning), I am grateful for another year. 36 years on earth. What a blessing. Many people dont reach this age.
I planned to stay in bed all day. But then seeing the messages did something and put me in a joyous mood.
My birthday treat to myself was a loooonggg 10-mile round-trip walk to Whole Foods/Trader Joe’s for cheese, salty snacks, sweet snacks, and bread. I smiled with closed eyes, facing the sun; I talked on the phone; I thought of fun, creative projects; I laughed to myself. I even told three strangers it was my birthday.
My gift for the rest of the day is to spend time with Angaza (who surprised me) & to take self-portrait DSLR photos to make the special day.
Cheers to growing and evolving as the seasons change.
Also a bee landed on my left hand and literally crawled around it for like 3 minutes. My patience & calm fully enacted to the max.
Btw, my birthday today is 2/6/26. How cool is that? 26 – 26!
Also 2+6+2+6 = 16 and then 1+6 = 7.
Soo maybe “7” is my actual age, because that is what I feel inside!
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