Today is my 39th birthday.
My day began at Morning with Mom (formerly known as Muffins with Mom) at my daughter’s school. We got donuts and sat in the cafeteria to have “breakfast” together. It was sweet. I reminded her that next year would be our last elementary school Mother’s Day celebration. It makes me a little sad that she’s getting so big so fast.
I got to school just as the late bell rang. When I got to the room, the students all wished me a happy birthday. I was wearing the pink birthday crown Hannah let me borrow (because I’m extra).
During my first class today, the principal, Ty Thompson, came up to my classroom to wish me a happy birthday. He does this for every faculty/staff member. He brings a card with a lotto ticket… mine never win. It’s never officially my birthday at MSD unless Ty comes up to visit.
The rest of the day was nice. My other classes all wished me a happy birthday. I got a very nice gift from one of my yearbook seniors. It was a quiet, low-key day.
I had an appointment this afternoon and filled out a form that asked for my birthdate and age. It was the first time I wrote 39. 39. It just seems like such a stupid age. In 365 days I’ll be 40.
I’ve looked back on the past year. I can’t believe how much I’ve done, all of the placed I’ve traveled, how many opportunities and experiences I’ve had, how much I’ve grown.
I went to Washington, DC to speak at The National Archives and had lunch in the Congressional dining room. I went to Washington, DC, as an executive board member of the Student Gun Violence Summit. I went to Des Moines, Iowa and met Mary Beth & John Tinker at the #Tinkerversary. I went to Chicago and New York and spoke before journalism students about my experience on 2/14. I won a Gold Key from CSPA. The 2018 yearbook won a Gold Crown from CSPA. I found that I’ll receive the 2019 Woman of Distinction Award from Alpha Xi Delta in July in Seattle. I wrote/edited “Parkland Speaks.” My son became a Bar Mitzvah. I was diagnosed with PTSD. I went with my family to Disney in December for the first non-dance/non-hockey related vacation we’ve had in over five years. I celebrated my 14th wedding anniversary. I wrote pieces for several prominent publications. I was on cable news programs speaking out against gun violence. I was the keynote speaker for a webinar for the American Federation of Teachers.
I have done a lot, seen a lot, experienced a lot. I have spoken to a lot of people. It has been a busy year.
While I have no idea what the next year holds, I’m sure it will keep me just as booked as 38 did. My hopes for 39 include peace in my life, continued self-care and working on healing, watching my children grow, thrive and flourish. I want greater financial stability and greater professional growth. I would love to lose weight and get healthy. At the core of all I hope for, I just want to be happy. I want to enjoy the small things, and not worry about things that shouldn’t be a concern of mine. I want to read a good book, watch the sun set, listen to the ocean waves and take naps.
I am thankful for everything I have, everything I’ve been given, everything I’ve experienced, and everything I’ve been privileged enough to do.
The countdown to 40 begins now…