30... and holding

So today is my birthday. Do you remember when having a birthday was the most exciting thing in the world? Remember your sweet 16, or the day your turned 21? Memorable occasions, I hope. Not so much anymore.

The morphing of the birthday as you get older is an amazing thing. Once your own children arrive on the scene (especially if you share a birthday month with them), your birthday becomes less and less important. But, you know, I think that this is a good thing, because who wants to spend any more time than is necessary focusing on how old they are?! Don't worry, I'm really not too bummed that I'm getting old. (A little paniced, as this post will attest to, but not bummed.) The Bible equates age with wisdom, and I can use all the wisdom I can get!

This phrase, "30, and holding" is an interesting one. Insert any number you wish, and I'm sure you've heard the phrase too. I haven't really given it much credence,... until this year. In order to appreciate my use of this phrase, you need to understand my mentality over the past few years.

Turning 29 was a bit of a shock for me. I had just had a baby, and I felt like I had left my girlhood behind, in order to enter the new realm of motherhood. So for all the time that 29 had seemed old to me, I suddenly felt old, so it felt appropriate (though rough) to actually be 29. Then, when 30 hit, well, I already felt old, and I had had an entire year to feel old, so that birthday was pretty much smooth sailing.

An odd thing happened, though, for some reason in my mind 30 was my "old age", and when I got there I gave very little thought to the idea that time would continue to move forward. That one day I would turn 31, then 32, then 33, and then eventually 40!!! So I find myself turning 31, and wondering how this could be? You mean I'm actually going to keep getting older?! Whoa, somebody pull this boat over and let me off!

Okay, okay, maybe I'm being a bit dramatic,... I do, however, want to stick with the idea that I'm 30, and holding. I think I like it that way!