38 things

38 does sound old. And actually, I do feel old a lot. I look at my young children and I think “I’m too old for this!” I fall into bed exhausted at night and don’t like to get out of it in the mornings. And yet, somehow, I still feel like I’m peering out at the world through a kid’s eyes.

Oh, what did you say? Did you ask if it was my birthday today? Awww, you are so sweet to remember! Yep. 38 years old today.

Do you remember being younger — like highschool age — and having older people saying this to you: “These are the best days of your life.” I do. Even Bryan Adams likes to remind me that “those were the best days of our lives.”

Funny. Because when I think back on my most powerful, most special moments … they’ve all been as an adult. I don’t know why. I had a great childhood. But there it is.

Today, I’m going to find make time to celebrate some of these moments. I’m going to soak in them, marinate in them, roll around and wrap myself in them.

First, I’m going to write out 38 things that I’m happy to have done in my life so far. I’ll share a few with you:

• Sat quietly in the middle of the night, with only the moon shining in the window, nursing my baby.
• Learned an enormous amount about life in the 8 1/2 months that sweet little Janna stayed with us.
• Gave up all sense of propriety and told poo, pee, fart and bum jokes with my daughter just so I can watch her laugh until she can no longer breathe.
• Dug really deep and crawled my way to the finish line of my Masters thesis.
• Slept in a tent on an unknown stretch of coast in Portugal with my dear love.

Then, I’m going to write out 38 more things that I’d still like to do in my life.

• Have an article published in a national women’s magazine.
• Shave my head.
• Sip a cold beer against the backdrop of white buildings while looking out at Greek islands.
• Help my daughter find a passion in life (other than Pokemon).

For my birthday present, will you share some of your memories or yearnings for the future with me? I’d be the best present ever.

Now reprinted with permission on Blissfully Domestic.