I’ll be 29 tomorrow. 29. Sounds fine. I’m sure it’ll be great. The last of my 20s. I say ‘bring it’. So far I’ve loved every year better than the last. Except 26, not so much 26 (the year I cut my hair with an office scissors, not so bright 26, not so bright).
About my birthday. I typically feel compelled to pontificate on nuggets of wisdom giving helpful advice for those yet to approach 29. Yes, I suppose I usually express some gratitude for the highlights of the year past and gracefully toast the coming year for proper measure. I do like to note the passing of my birthday with some sort of pleasantry.
I will not be regurgitating the ‘wisdom’ from last year with a 2008 twist. Instead I would like to brag about some of the thoughtful people in my life that are great gift givers. Actually everyone I know is great gift giver but here are three highlights from my 29th birthday.
Upon buying our townhouse in 2005 we knew space, a lack there of, would be an issue right off the start. Kris and Phil saw the potential of our tiny back patio to be a place to lounge and watch our then only child, Ryan, play. As a housewarming gift they gave us a metal patio swing. Now as our family and need for space has grown Kris and Phil saw the need for more patio chairs. We received two rocking patio chairs that match our swing (joint mother’s/father’s day/birthday gift). We will enjoy many summer afternoons ‘out in the back’ thanks to their practical gift!
Then my sneaky, sneaky husband…boy I’ll tell you his actions will be hard for 
me to repay on his next birthday. I ran a photography company called Photo JEM for three years. Upon closing Photo JEM I compiled a ‘best of’ book using iPhoto. I labored over the book digging through 3 years of files of my favorite client images. I wrote the last page of the book as an autobiographical commentary on my ’style’ and how Photo JEM came to be. I am an emotional creature and creating this book was an excellent way to have emotional closure on such a large part of my life as well as have something tangible (from the company) for the last 3 years of work. I knew that would have to save up to buy this book because frankly I did not really need it and it would not be a business expense anymore. I was content to have this book saved off in the depths of my computer somewhere and maybe someday I’d buy it. So you can see where this is going. Peter solicited his brothers and wives (which are like my family because I’m an singleton child) for funds to all go in on my book. He secretly went into my account and ordered the book as a surprise. They gave me a card and book photo copy (as a place holder) at our family’s June B-day bash last Sunday. How great is that? I am so ready to see the book in print. I have to wait for my birthday to see the book.
And as if he were acting to never allow me to outdo him he went to my new salon, reVamp, and bought the product I need/want for my hair but would have to sell a kidney to get. Though we share finances anyway it was still a nice gesture for him to use his discretionary funds on me! Peter gave me a shampoo, conditioner and styling product set from Nigelle Ax that comes from Japan and is known for it’s sugar emollients. I’ll use the products with glee and pretend to be glamorous again and hey, it’s a long way from my hairstyle at 26 years old. Office scissors! I tisk on myself for you!
So I skipped the thought provoking ‘this is my life’ birthday blog entry and respectfully bragged about the great gifts I’ve been given this birthday. I’ve been given many parties, gifts and thoughtful cards a plenty over the years that I received joyfully. I do not really ever expect any of these wonderful gestures but I love them just the same.
It has been a happy birthday week indeed.
