On one hand, they bring opportunities for time with friends, a reason to celebrate, and great sweets (uhhh, maybe even too many sweets). Check out my cake at school (with Michelle trying to hide behind it. . .)
On the other hand, they're like a second New Year. . .a time where you're almost forced to revisit where you are in life, and ponder whether you're where you thought you would be back when you thought about this particular age.
Where did I think I'd be at 34? I'm not sure exactly, but I know there are some aspects of my life that aren't where I thought they would be. For instance, the "single" part. . .given the fact that I thought 26 was the perfect age to get married, I'd say I'm pretty well behind on the marriage-and-kids scale. Not making AYP in that category (that's "adequate yearly progress" for those of you not up on your school lingo).
But really. . .It's my real path, not my "ideal" path. Evidently marriage at 26 and first kid before 30 (to reduce the risk of breast cancer, you know) wasn't in my cards. Big deal.
Lots of thoughts about my career and life purpose lately too. . .and what I'm going to be "when I grow up." Yep, I haven't changed much since that call to Dr. Reid back when I was 17. . ."when I grow up I want to be. . ." - it's still OK to say it.
Maybe that's what 34 is all about:
recognizing where I am.
and recognizing (more clearly than ever) what my true goals and values are, without limiting them to specifics situations that I can't yet see.
Hmmm.
Deep thoughts by Lou. At 34.
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