In a matter of days, I will be turning 22. As I realized how close my birthday was getting, I immediately started thinking about what presents I wanted. I can think of a few things I've expressed interest in over the past few months. A Fit-Bit (as an excuse to track my exercise and push me to reach higher goals) and a Nutra-Bullet for my morning smoothies because I always seem to make way to much when I use a blender. But the more I thought about everything I could ask for, it became increasingly difficult to decide what I actually wanted. Sure, there are tons of things that I could use, or wear, or eat. But I was raised in a family, where if you wanted something, you had to justify why it was important for you to have it. And in all honestly, there isn't really anything I can think of that would improve my life immensely. I have a roof over my head, my own truck to get me where I need to go, food in the fridge and the pantry, and money to buy more food, pay for my truck, and to pay for rent and other house needs. I have a college degree, and a job to pay for the second one I am currently taking classes for. And to top it all off, I have a giant family made up of love and support, and I have to admit that my life is very blessed.
I think one of the weirdest things about my upcoming birthday this year is thinking about all the things I could be doing with the money I'd have saved if I never asked for really silly birthday presents. All those Barbie toys, make-up and dress-up stuff, jewelry and clothing. I could be using that money to pay for my Ireland trip with my parents, to have set up an account for a future house or a new truck when my truck finally dies. I could be paying back my parents for everything they've done to help me with college. Even last year, I was surrounded by the expectation that I had to get drunk since it was my 21 birthday. I celebrated at midnight with a few friends and had my first legal glass of wine in public, and then had two drinks at dinner with my family and friends and went to bed.
Mom and Dad, thanks for buying me all the things I never needed but really wanted. Thanks for the awesome parties and cakes (Princess dress cake will always be a favorite), for cheesecakes and presents left on the counter when I get home from a late night performance, for the money mailed to college to buy pizza for myself and my friends on my birthday.
Also, thanks for giving me life, and raising me in a loving home, filled with family and friends and good memories. I'm starting to realize that my life was the best gift I could ever ask for, and don't ever think I am ungrateful for having you two as my parents, and Ben and Dan as my brothers. I love you. <3
