Thoughts on turning Thirty

Some of you may know I turned 30 last week. I've gotten so used to birthdays over the past 3 decades I assumed it would turn out to be no different. But then it happened. I felt like a grown up. Not older, per se, but more mature. Fortunately since it happened I've completely recovered and am back to my old/young self again.

I considered ruminating on where or who I thought I'd be at age 30 compared to reality, but I fear that would depress you and I too much, so I'll focus on the positive. At age 30, I am a husband to the most wonderful and amazing woman I have ever met. I am a father to the most energetic and joyful son I've ever seen. I am a cancer survivor. I am a student. Whatever I wanted to be is behind me now, in the words of Popeye, I am what I am.

In a way it's relieving. For so long I kept planning who I'd be, how famous or wealthy or important I'd be that in some ways it kept me from living, at least living to the fullest. Now I can stop focusing on who I might become and simply focus on who I am and what I am doing NOW.

I'll end with a cheesy quote (my favorite kind) that, while cheesy, is valid: "We don't stop laughing because we grow old, we grow old because we stop laughing." May I never grow old, just mature, and always find humor in everything and anything life throws at me.