Certainly not to take away from the normal memorial day celebrations. Remembering those who died in the service of our nation is a treasured memory those who are affiliated with the military community should and do cherish.
However, it's my birthday!
So many times in my life did I not expect to see the next birthday. From a struggling teen with an abusive family and seeking my "way out" to escape the abuse, from battling alcoholism in my 20's, to fighting cancer and coming out up top twice, to just the daily struggles of being a functional human in the world I cannot tell you how many times I said to myself "this is my last birthday".
I'm so very glad to still be here. Struggles and all, a little bit fatter, a bit moodier and always the cynic. I've accomplished a lot so far and I still have so much more to complete. I'm happy with my life. So many new beginnings have come my way and each one ended with a different expectation than how they started. I'm looking forward to what 36 will bring for the next year.