Birthdays

I'm turning 29 in 2 weeks.  29... it sounds so old.  Birthdays and New Year's Eve are two times of year that I secretly dread (or maybe not so secretly).  These important milestones make us think about what we have or have not accomplished in the past year and cause us to reflect on what we have in our lives. 

I (unfortunately) focus on all the things I don't have, first...  I would like to own a house.  I would like to at least be dating the man I'm going to marry (haven't even met him yet).  I would like to be thinking about kids.  I would like to have my career path figured out.  I was sure by the time I was 30 I would have all of these things.

But then, I usually get a hold of myself and realize all the wonderful things I do have in my life. I have a wonderful family and friends.  I have a Master's Degree.  I have 6 years of real-life work experience under my belt.  I have a nice apartment, and am making enough money to have a car, pay for food, and even buy myself something nice once in a while. Perhaps most importantly, I am still walking, still driving, still getting around reasonably well, and still have my freedom.

In defense of my birthday, I actually have had pretty good ones for the past several years.  And, if I focus on the things I have accomplished rather than the things I am still striving for, turning a year older doesn't seem so bad. That being said, I still may decide that I don't want to turn 30, and this might be the first of many 29th birthdays.