Seclusion? No Worries Mate.

Happy Birthday to me.

For those of you who have been reading my blog since last year, or who have simply known me for a year, may remember my strong distaste for my birthday. You may remember how I am always distressed because I don’t want anyone to know how old I am or to celebrate because then I have to share how old I am and be embarrassed at the attention, but then when they don’t how distressed I become because no one cares. Even though I convinced them, often with threats, not to do anything. I know- I'm a sicko.

Last year, I thought I could escape all of that by going in to seclusion in LA, in an all day spa, where no one could possibly do anything if they wanted to, and I could just pretend the day never happened under the pampering hands of my masseuse. It was fairly successful, but there were still tears and sadness at some point during the day. (And also one magical moment that BD will not be happy I raised again when my Asian masseuse made comments about my L.L.’s. Lady lumps.)

I am here to tell you that I did not feel one pang of sadness, disappointment or despair this year. Not one. The day started with a birthday breakfast by my mom and the office staff. Sister Howes made me her special “Cherry-Ripe” Chocolate cakes as well.





After breakfast, mom, dad, Garrett and I went to a wildlife park to see the koalas and kangaroos and other Australian wonders. We got our obligatory pictures to prove we were in Australia and headed on back home.





After that I took a book out to my favorite spot at the mission home—the back porch swing – and I just rocked and read in the warm summer sun for a good couple of hours. This swing is my happy place—a little slice of heaven in Adelaide.



The day ended with the family and the Howes (our favorite Adelaide couple!) going to dinner at a restaurant overlooking the beach and then a blanket on the sand to watch the sun go down on my birthday and my time in Australia. It was perfect and lovely.





It wasn’t until the next day that I realized I was never sad. It’s not like something spectacular happened to make it extra special although I enjoyed everything we did that day. The only thing I can figure is that either

1. I am now fully Australian after 4 weeks down under and really have “no worries mate.”
2. I was with the only people I knew and all my expectations were met by being with the ones who love me most.
3. There was actually sun in January and it wasn’t the most depressing month of the year like it is in the states.
4. No one ALL day long, even once, asked me how old I was.
5. I’m too old to worry about it any more. I just don’t care how old I am.

Or maybe a combination of all of these. I really don’t know, and frankly I don’t really care. The last thing I want to do is over-think it and lose this zen-like moment. All I can say is, it was a pleasure to finally have a birthday where no tear was shed. Who knows? Maybe I’m just plain growing up. Probably not, but you never know.