Happy Burfday!

Today I turned 42 years old.  As usual, the idea of being one year closer to my inevitable death has been bothering me for weeks, so I tried to pretend that it was just another day.  Unfortunately for me, most people really like their birthday, and like to celebrate other people's birthdays, so I just couldn't seem to escape the well wishes.  I actually feel like the birthday celebration started yesterday because I got to go see my first Broadway play of the year with the new season tickets that I bought for Boston instead of Salt Lake where Jared and I have held them for 19 years.  It was "Something Rotten" and I convinced Renee and Dilma, one of my other coworkers, to come with me and pretend to be Jared and one of my girls.  Here we are after we saw the billboard for the first time:

I was sad not to have Jared with me for the first time in 19 years but the Boston Opera House was awesome!  Check it out...

Best of all, Boston is way closer than SLC used to be to me in Idaho and it was fabulous to not have a 3 hour commute each way!  When we left Providence, I was a little nervous about finding a parking place and a restaurant to eat in, but turns out, us three girls managed just fine in the big city and we had a blast.  I got home just after midnight this morning and Jared sang "Happy Birthday" to me.  I hated to admit it, but I actually enjoyed hearing his awful singing voice.  Best of all, my house officially went under contract at about 10:30 PM Idaho time on the 17th, but for me, it was already my birthday, so as Jared sang, I just beamed.  The realtor also reminded me that we had put the house up for sale exactly one year ago on my birthday and now, it looks like my misery might finally end. 

After the excitement of the house selling wore off, I was able to get to sleep but was awakened first thing by my daddy wishing me a Happy Birthday.  Most of my siblings, friends, and coworkers have followed suit, some have sent nice gifts, and I have been so appreciative of all of the thoughtfullness.  Renee even had her family come over and eat dinner and have cupcakes with me and they gave me some thoughtful presents.  Here we are around the table after they yelled, "we're your other family now!"

The only downside of my whole day was when my crummy friend Alyssa and her even crummier husband sent me videos and pics of Elvis wishing me a Happy Birthday.  What a couple of tools...

Because my mother has taught me to treat others well despite harsh treatment, I decided to rise above their abuse rather than sink to their level...  Here's proof so my mommy can finally be proud of me:

Man what a birthday it's been.  I'm humbled by the kindness of all of my new friends...  I'm grateful that this endless year might finally see me back with my lover and kids...  I'm also stunned that I didn't mind my birthday this year as much as I have in years past, but am chalking that up to loneliness induced psychosis.  Whatever the reason for my change of heart, don't expect it to last.  I'm sure once I'm comfortably back with my family, my ungrateful and grouchy heart will return.  Happy Birthday to me!