special day*

boho, canon digital rebel xt

Today I turn 35. I've never been one to be afraid of sharing my age. In fact, back when I was about to turn 30, I could hardly wait to get there. People surrounding me were surprised and shared with me that turning 30 will be sad and depressing when their turn comes. Perhaps they felt that their most exciting years would be spent in their 20's. I suppose I viewed it as another decade to party and suck the marrow out of life. Knowing how excited I was about turning 30, my sweet girlfriends picked me up in Berkeley and drove me to a very empty San Francisco. It was a few days after 9/11 and we were all shocked, sad, depressed, frightened and stunned. My special day was a good excuse for all of us to get out of our heads and not only celebrate me entering into a new decade but come together and share our grief. Each of us were somehow connected to someone closely effected that day. I myself had a few friends that were supposed to be in one of those buildings but circumstances held them back. My boss at the time took United Flight 93 on a weekly basis and when I heard about it coming down, I wasn't sure if she was on it or not. Thank goodness when I finally arrived at work that morning, she called me to let me know she wasn't. When I heard her voice, both of us broke into tears.

So, the eve of my birthday was spent bar after empty bar, huddled with the lonely bartenders and sharing our own stories, crying, laughing, dancing in the quiet streets. I suppose it was our way of peeling ourselves away from the radio and television and paying homage to all that had transpired. We were fumbling and didn't know what else to do.

I lived wild and crazy days in my 20's. My 30's have been more about self exploration, self expression, commitment and learning to speak my truth. In my 20's, I was running, skipping, dancing, leaping through life where as now I am allowing myself to coast a bit more, to soak in what is around me and to pay attention to the lessons each moment can bring.

Today my husband is taking me to see the long awaited movie The Last Kiss. The soundtrack is phenomenal and I continue to hear this movie promises to be as good as Garden State. We'll see...huge shoes to fill there.

I want to thank Nina from The Whole Self for her sweet parcel. Her "Boho Mama" watercolor touched me deeply and so did her handmade packaged tissues that I shall use for happy or sad tears.

Thank you to Cinda from Turquoise Cro for a package full of earthy bohemian tunes for my soul.

I also get to meet the lovely Romina and her adorable husband this weekend while she is in town. The four of us are planning to gather at a pub. Good times will be had indeed.

Whenever my birthday comes, I am reminded of one of my very best frister's wedding anniversary. So, happy anniversary, sweet beautiful Bobbers:


bobbi, canon digital rebel xt

So here I am... going special places, seeing special things, meeting special people on my special day.

edited to add: oh my...i am feeling so loved. thank you to susannah, andrea, letha & Pixie for your bday calls and to la vie en rose & my sis dar for your amazing packages!! i'll get in touch with you all later. we on on our way to the film! xoxoxoxo