Dear Self,
You are 30 years old today. During the last decade you...
- Earned a Bachelor's degree.
- More importantly, you had the invaluable experience of attending an out-of-state university, in a diverse metropolis
- Taught music for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra's ECHO Center
- Scored a job right after graduation
- Won a trip to Mexico through a (free) bar raffle--and went!
- Played violin on Chicago's Symphony Center stage.
- Visited France, England, Canada, Puerto Rico, St. Lucia, Australia, New Zealand
- Visited AZ, NY, NYC (it's really its own state), MI, CA, FL, CO, HI, MN, NV, OK, VA, WI
- Had 13 roommates
- Moved six times
- Drove a car from AZ to MI
- Adopted your own dog
- Signed your name to the title of a home
- Planned a wedding
- Played in numerous classical concerts
- Performed in nine musicals
- Music directed three musicals
- Attended some grad school in MN
- Married the love of your life
- Enjoyed a pregnancy
- Bore a beautiful child
- Started blogging
- Learned to knit
- Joined three different workout facilities
- Gained a bunch of weight
- Lost a bunch of weight
- Saw countless theatre productions in Chicago, Broadway, West End, and regional
- Planned six Holiday Sings
- Led three 5th grade choruses
- Became more compassionate toward others
- Became more tolerant of others
- Learned to love, deeply and selflessly
- Turned 30
No doubt the list for the next decade will look dramatically different, but let it be your goal to continue to achieve, to keep your body in excellent working condition, to never stop learning, and never stop loving. Happy Birthday.
P.S. from the author: On this day I am grateful to my parents for giving me life, and to my entire family/friends/colleagues, for giving me a LIFE.
4 comments:
That's a pretty impressive list, Hannah! It's not difficult to face 30 when you have a list like that and you're where you are today. Here's to the next 10 years. Happy Birthday.
Marah
Dear "Self",
You have always been, and always will be a- full of giftedness, over-achieving,
somewhat perfectionistic, gentle, kind, loving, peace-making, most critical of self, very accepting of others- sort of girl. I am continually astounded at all you are willing to try, at your ability to love better than most, and at your astute observations on life.
You are welcome for your life, although I believe God deserves much more of the credit than your dad and I. We do consider you one of our greatest achievements and delights.
A few highlights along the way include:
-watching you line up your dolls and animals along your bed, at age, three, noticing one had fallen just a bit topsy turvy, and collapsing into tears because it didn’t turn out the way you wanted.
-watching you and Abigail dance, bike, play games, romp, fight, laugh and cry together…and turn out to be good friends.
-listening to you sing the “Les Mis” medley with Ron, in our living room, while I sobbed quietly in the kitchen, at the sheer joy of the sound.
- having you present when Naomi was born (and still you were willing to have a child!).
- seeing you lovingly care for and encourage your sisters and brother, your fathers, your husband, your friends, and now your son.
- being able to share your birthdays, your recitals, your concerts, your plays, your slumber parties, your honors nights, your college auditions, your graduations, your wedding, your childbirthing…and all that is to come.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY dear ‘self’. Your mama loves you always and forever.
Thirty isn’t so bad…especially to people in their 50’s.
Mom
Brought me to tears, Mom. Thanks for the memories!
Hey! 30 isn't too bad is it? Well, I have only got you beat by a few weeks, but so far, so good.
Happy Birthday!
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