Blackman Road: 28

Twenty eight years ago, on this very day . . . well maybe not actually this very day. Come to think of it, I don't really know what day of the week I was born. Any way, twenty eight years ago I fell out of my mom and into this world, or my dads arms and then this world. Today is me birfday!

I was wondering what I should write about and of course it has to be a little about what life has been like all these years and what I have learned. The card my husband gave me really sort of sums up a few things. You know, things like cell phones becoming portable, music becoming digital, complicated (yet delicious) coffees, talking cars, disposable cameras—all those things I've seen in my lifetime. What though have I learned?
It seems like this year has been the year that I've learned a lot and I guess have finally started coming into my own. I've started to figure out who I am. Twenty eight is going to be a good year. So what have I learned? Here are just a few things that come to mind:

• Life . . . it is not a fairy tale. Those damn disney movies are a lie, but still I love them.
• I need to give myself a little more credit.
• So THAT'S what an f–stop is!
• So THAT'S what Av does!
• Things are never going to just fall in my lap as much as I want them to. Just because I love doing something doesn't mean success will just jog it's happy little tail my way.
• Love really is hard work for most of the world. Any time it's tough, I just remember how long we have actually been together as a couple and that makes 4 years of marriage a WHOLE lot easier.
• Bills are never going to magically disappear not matter in how many languages I say "ABRA CADABRA SUCKERS!"
• The world really does look different through that lens to me.
• Happiness is what you make it. Not what you see everyone else making. (note: this is occasionally a statement hard to live by but I try =0) )
• Friendships are something to be treasured and valued, not collected. It's hard to be able to count on just anyone when you need them. I'm lucky to have the friends that I do.
• The older I get, the more I need my family. We are unique and that is a part of my life that I appreciate more and more every day.
• A trash can with a snap on lid is the way to go when you have a dog.
• Some dogs and cats will never get along.
• If you do love something enough, and enjoy doing that something, it will never get old.
• Books are better than movies.
• God is found in the most unexpected places (i.e. Billy Joes Tattoo parlor on Broadway and 3rd)
• Laughter is a good medicine.
• Age Old remedies are something to be considered.
• It's never to late to be creative
• Bringing out your inner child is most definitely worth it.
• I've seen how much my parents love and I don't know if I will ever be able to give that much. The amount to me is out of this world.

Those things seem a little silly, but they all mean a lot to me this year and stick out when I think of my life.

In a lot of ways I feel like I have grown a little this last year. Sometimes sitting by myself with a glass of wine, watching an episode of True Blood with my friends, watching others love around me, sometimes from my nieces and nephews, arguing with the hubs, and sometimes with a camera in my hand. The growing I feel like I've done is tremendous. If every year could be like this, my life will most certainly be full. I am lucky and blessed to have the life I have. I thankful to have God's blessings and love all around to see.

It always amazes me to think to myself every birthday, that it all started right on the street behind us in the front seat of a car. My life all began just about a football field or two away from where I sit right now. Happy Birthday to me! 28 . . .