The Last Few Moments of 29

A friend was "singing" the Gin Blossoms song "29" to me recently (well, not that recently, but the point is still valid). He was kinda bummed when he realized that the song no longer applied (he's older.. ha ha ha). But tomorrow... tomorrow I join him. Tomorrow, I'm no longer 29. Tomorrow, I bid adieu to my twenties. And tonight, during the last few minutes of my 29th year, I'm sad. My twenties were so enjoyable. I miss them already. (And not in the way-I-always-do -- missing things well before they're gone or grieving for things before they're lost -- but in the WOW-it's-here-now-and-I-can't-run-away way.)

There's no intentions worthy of mention
If we never try
So hang your hopes on rusted-out hinges
Take 'em for a ride

Only time will tell if wishing wells
Can bring us anything
Or fade like scenes from childhood dreams
Forgotten memories

It.is.just.not.possible. I was only 19 just yesterday. And it wasn't too far back from that that I was 9. How did I get here? Where did it all go? And WHY is it going so fast?!

But aside from the obvious trauma... I am (semi)enjoying reflecting back a little. Life thus far has been pretty good. I have been truly blessed with some wonderful people in my life. And that... that is all I could've ever wished for. Family & friends like you guys. I just hope I've meant as much to you. So, thanks... for just being you. YOU mean the world to me.

I bite my thumb at 30. I'm strong. I can take you, beyotch. Bring it on.

So, Nik asked. And I opened the can 'o worms for myself, so the answer:
I have done 3 of the 15 things on my to-do-before-30 list. But I give myself half credits here and there (what? I come from a family of teachers... they give half credit for everything). So, my total "score" (out of 15, remember) is 4.5.

The things I've done: own a house (you've all heard me ramble on and on about Forsythe), got married (remember Jon? although Jess thinks he's a paper cut-out I pose in pics every once in a while, he really does exist!), and made a real best friend (two, as a matter of fact... although one is my sister, so she's kinda stuck with me). The half credits: career (I have a job/career that is fun, sometimes rewarding, pays well, and allows me to work in my PJs from home... it's not really what I expected to do with my life nor is it something I see myself doing forever, but it's definitely worth 1/2), Europe (I've been there... three times, as a matter of fact... but it's a big country and there's lots I haven't seen... but given that Vienna, Amsterdam, the Alps, Athens, & the Greek Isles are all very wonderful, I deserve half credit), and the U.S. (again, I've seen some of my home country, but not nearly enough of it... I've been to very, very few of our national monuments/treasures; and I hope someday to do a better job of being a tourist).

Huh... 4.5 out of 15! Well, it's a good thing I'm only 30... I've got quite the list of things to do before I turn 40!

Thanks for all the pre-birthday happy birthdays to all y'all who reached out to me today (and even before today!). And even those of you with whom I didn't talk about my birthday at all, it was fun to talk to you. Although, fun probably isn't the right word. I love you guys. Please be good to each other.