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December 8, 2003
Birthday
I turn 33 today.
It's one of those birthdays somewhere in the middle. It's not a clear milestone like 29, but something in between.
Because my birthday is in December, it always falls both near the holidays and at the end of the semester, which sometimes makes my birthday feel like an afterthought. But for some reason, I've been anticipating this birthday for a long time, much longer than normal. I don't think it's because I feel partcularly old (I don't). Instead, it feels more like curiosity about how I'd react this time around (I'm not quite sure why--maybe because it has been a rather eventful year).
And I have to say it has been a satisfying year. I've accomplished a fair amount this year professionally. I'm learning more about myself as an academic, a teacher, and a human being. I've made some great connections and seen other friendships flourish. I've really struggled with birthdays in the past, so it's kind of nice for one to feel, well, about right.
Of course, tomorrow I could change my mind.
(Edited slightly a few hours after the original post.)
Posted by chuck at December 8, 2003 12:46 AM
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Comments
Happy Birthday! kid.
Posted by: weez at December 8, 2003 1:15 AM
happy birthday
Posted by: jeremy hunsinger at December 8, 2003 7:45 AM
happy birthday, chuck
Posted by: dave at December 8, 2003 8:56 AM
Happy Birthday Chuck!
33's double numbers should be satisfying, rather than the discordant twang of 29 ;)
Posted by: Jason at December 8, 2003 10:41 AM
Woo-hoo! I can't believe I've known you ten years!
Posted by: George at December 8, 2003 11:18 AM
Happy Birthday, my friend. We are getting old(er).
Posted by: chris at December 8, 2003 12:32 PM
Happy Birthday! I turn 47 on Wednesday. Eventually, they all become milestones :-)
Posted by: acline at December 8, 2003 1:28 PM
Feliz Cumpleaños! I totally dig getting older, and I'm coming up right behind ya ;)
Posted by: Anne at December 8, 2003 1:47 PM
Hey -- happy birthday! You share the celebration with my mom, and with the immaculate conception of the Virgin Mary, a conjunction that always seemed very pointed to me back in my Catholic school days.
More seriously: birthdays from this point out (she says from the vantage of three extra years) get less and less milestone-like, and more just turning the page to yet another alarmingly large number. Struggle against that feeling. Celebrate. Remember how much you have gained each year -- and look forward to what's coming this year.
Posted by: KF at December 8, 2003 4:45 PM
Thanks, everyone, for all your birthday wishes. Looks like I'll be celebrating *quietly* today, but it has been a *very* good year.
KF, I'd heard the "Immaculate conception" factoid somewhere, but such details didn't weigh so heavily on evangelicals. When I was a teenager, especially, it seemed much more important that I share a birthday with Kim Basinger...
George, I can't believe we've known each other for ten years. Chris, I think we're getting close to twenty years. Nice to have such long-term friendships...
Jason, actually, I'm semi-superstitious about numbers (specifically I don't like numbers divisible by 3 or double numbers, but I'm trying to ignore that)...
Posted by: chuck at December 8, 2003 5:16 PM
Happy day *after* your birthday.
(this is one thing I love about the web. It lets me wish happy birthday to complete strangers. But really, happy birthday anyway. I liked 33).
Posted by: cheryl at December 9, 2003 10:22 AM
twenty years?! Wow -- now I really do feel old. Can't believe it's been that long, but I am like you -- glad to know we can maintain friendships so long. From those heady days in RCOG youth group ;-) ... to now. Whew.
btw, it was great to see you over T'giving. I was suprised to find you and Mike there, LOL! But a very cool surprise.
Posted by: Chris at December 9, 2003 11:17 AM
Cheryl, I think I've met IRL two of the fifteen or so people who wished me happy birthday on my blog, so I like that aspect of blogging, too.
Chris, it was great to see you, too. It had been a long time since we'd seen each other.
Posted by: chuck at December 9, 2003 12:24 PM