Birthday Eve

Tomorrow is one of those most special of days where I thank my mom for sticking in there, past Christmas and New Year’s, and my dad for going to dinner with Kerry, I mean standing by her side while she gave birth to a little princess. *sigh*

So on the eve of this 26th birthday I sing out my thanks and ponder the year ahead. Monumental birthdays come with flair, like 16 and 21, 40 and 50, whereas many numbers don’t arouse such enthusiasm. As anyone every said, I’m 22! Woohoo! Big party. I’m 53. Let’s celebrate. They’re not landmark years. 26 could fit into that category. It’s a rather even, dull number. But it puts me in a new age bracket. I now join the millions of other in their “late 20s.” Oh my, yes, late. Is it 10pm yet? It got me thinking, late for what? Am I supposed to have a certain number of things marked off the proverbial checklist by today? Should I have more shoes and children, less homework and packages of Top Ramen? Actually, I’m still early to those really “Late-20s” who are 29. They’re WAY later, right?

I know this is silly but significant or not, this birthday is yet another reminder of two important things:
1) I have breath enough to see 26! Amen. I might even have enough breath to run 4 miles.
2) I have this day to live thoroughly, boldly, and intentionally. 26 2/365ths is up in the air (I’ll let you know on Wednesday), but today is here, ready for me. It hasn’t been waiting like I was late. I get to experience it brand new for it has never happened and will never happen again. That's reason to celebrate, birthday or not. I'm lucky for the reminder of this birth date to refocus and examine this day and those to follow (hopefully) how I actually show gratitude to God for my life. How do I live purposefully? How do I live with focus on the present and great expectation for the future? How do I see myself in God's eyes, on his clock, in his world? Do I see myself as late and old or perfectly chosen for the now?