12,775th

Today marks my 35^th year of existence. 35. Wow! I used to write things here on my birthday until heartbreaks, anxiety, and the busyness of life happened. Now, I am writing again because despite a handful of fears, I am just really thankful for everything. I thank God that my loved ones and I are healthy. Grateful that even with the pandemic and all the ish, we still have reasons to smile about. Relieved with the fact that there are still moments when we can be more optimistic and a chance to feel that better days are coming.

If God will grant me a birthday wish, I wish for healing – healing of this country and the whole world. I wish to see people smiling at each other again, unmasked. I wish for a “better normal” where we are not afraid to be around one another. May we be able to shake hands again and hug someone anytime.

35. During a mock interview at a Speech class way back in college, I was asked the typical “where do you see yourself in 10 years?” I answered, well, non-verbatim “a wife and a mother”. I was 18. Never came close to this vision at 28. Not even at 30. Now at 35, I am neither married nor with kids (only a niece who looks like me). Not that I am complaining, I am rather happy with how my life turned out to be. I am where I wanted to be. I am working on pursuing every goal and dream that I have, and if God willing, maybe I will be living a life that I envisioned on my seat during that interview 17 years past.

 

Cheers to 35 and to 35 more.

 

_Anj