My birthday this year was spread out over about a week of friends and fun. I threw myself a little party at a local park, where I brought my croquet set and a cake from my favorite bakery. A handful of friends from a group I used to play board games with showed up and played croquet with me, Halfway through the game, one friend (who was enjoying their very first game of croquet) was instructed to hit the ball as hard as they could. The grass was pretty high and the ground sort of moist, so we had to play at full strength. I am utterly amused that instead of hitting the ball, they hit the colored end post… and SHATTERED it! They reached out later about replacing the piece, which was very sweet. However, this story is going to be immortalized.
After the one man playing croquet kicked all our behinds at the game, we wrapped up and went into the shade for a picnic and cake. I brought kimbap, which I had been enjoying immensely due to the influence of The Amazing Attorney Woo, which I was watching at the time. There were fruits and chips and spindrift. Everyone seemed to have a great time. My roommate gave me a bouquet of some very bright and beautiful flowers, which I took home, and put in my windowsill among my potted plants.
I think the most special part of this birthday week was sharing some quiet time and enjoying a deep sort of conversation. Later, I had my favorite birthday breakfast: French toast with turkey bacon and apple juice. I don’t know what it is about that breakfast, but It makes me so happy, it is unreal.
My actual birthday was a few days after that, when I was in DC on a volunteer trip. I got like eight facebook messages and a handful of texts to congratulate me throughout the day while I was working. The sweetest thing though, was that all the other volunteers in my department somehow made sure to congratulate me on my birthday. One made a point to do so every single time we crossed paths that day. It has been so special to spend my birthday with these amazing people over the past few years.
All in all, celebrating my birthday has always been a fun and momentous occasion for me. I’m proud to have survived another lap around the Sun. Over the last year, I have begun to do things because I want to do them, rather than because I assume they are expected of me (or have been told so). I’ve spent more time sitting with myself, discovering things that I enjoy and finding out there are things that I actually want for myself.
This year I hope to fill my life with those things. I won’t stop myself from growing and getting better at the things I love. I hope you won’t either.
Love Always,
Rachel
Uncommon Rachel 