34 years old

"The great thing about getting older is you don't lose all the other ages you've been."
Madeleine L'Engle

Today I’m 34, yet
…for better and worse…

I am
still the petulant toddler when life doesn’t align with my script
(or when others so rudely forget that I have one).

I am
still the 8-year-old in the basement playing school teacher - laminating, crafting & commanding littles…grinning madly at a closet full of “supplies”

I am
still 10 and trapped in dreams by day and flashlight-lit books by night.

I am
still 13 and able to fall into fits of giggle
or temper
(or both & back within a flash).

I am
still the anti-social teenager,
wrapped up tightly in the warmth of family and close friends
…just in case…

I am
still the college graduate who wonders what she'll be
*when she grows up*

I am
still 28 and crazy in love with Jim Scott.

I am
still 29 and crazy in awe at my Aidan baby,
overwhelmed at what this mothering job might mean,
completely unsure if I can ever do it “right”.

I am
still 30 and completely sure I won’t  ever “do it right”,
but quietly grateful to welcome a second, my Davyn,
into heart & home.

I am
still 33, wondering
how the years move by far more quickly than they used to,
how I used to think that this was middle-age,
how I know that can't be true.
how I won't believe it until my head is drowning in grey...
how I'll never stop dying my hair. 

because, for now

I'm Happy to be 34
...more grey, more chubby, more wrinkled...
but more content with life than at any other age.

...more able to step back and see...
all of the bits - the good, the bad - the melding of all
that makes me Me. 

Comments

[ruby red]

Happy Birthday my heart.

[Neighbor Jane Payne]

Profound, Amy, simply profound.

Happy Birthday to you.

[eloise]

Happy Birthday Amy

[Melissa M.]

Happy Birthday Amy!
This is my favorite post of all time!

[Tammy]

Happy birthday Amy. I hope you have a wonderful day.

[Tiffany]

Happy Birthday!

I love your birthday thoughts! (You thought 30s were middle age?! Yikes!) :)

[Kay]

Happy Birthday, Amy!! Beautiful post. I love how you capture things. Love ya.

[Amy]

You rock. Happy Birthday!

[Mandi, Cyndee & Regina]

Feliz Cumpleanos (there are too many happy birthdays). We hope you have a nice, romantical night with Ruby Red, since that's the best birthday present ever! Also, don't forget we're having a girls night out when we get back (Regina will be there in spirit). Reading this post, as always, reminded us of how very talented and clever you are -- you must have stolen it all from the rest of the family (Mandi speaking there).

[Mandi, Cyndee & Regina]

p.s. WE LOVE YOU!

[Mandi, Cyndee & Regina]

P.P.S. Regina has a rockin' b-day present for you . . . stay tuned.

[Jill]

Oh Amy, what a wonderful birthday post! Happy 34th!! I hope this is a great year for you. I think the 30's are the best decade so far!

[Kelly]

I hope your tanjoobi is one to be remembered! I've been thinking of you today! Love you!

[Aprilyn]

Amy, that was just beautiful! Happy Birthday! I hope you had a great one! My hubby is 38 today. He is older than dirt! Hahaha.

[Aprilyn]

Oh, by the way..I just LOVE Madeline L'Engle. She is my all time favorite author. I think I've read the Wrinkle in Time series probably 10 times or more.

[Emily]

Happy, Happy, Happy Birthday to you!

[michelle]

I. love. this. post!! I've seen that quote on Jordan's blog and pondered on it, but still never thought of doing a wonderful birthday post like this! Happy birthday, Amy!

[Lucy]

Amy, I love it. You have the right idea. I hope you had a great celebration. You and all your 34 years of life are worth celebrating.

[April]

You were in my thoughts too today...I loved this post and also the first tender comment.

[mandy]

Happy Birthday! I know you will have a fantastic day!

[kim sue]

What a great post! Happy Birthday Amy. I hope you have a great birthday full of fun suprises and wonderful new memories :)

[Megan]

Happy happy birthday! Sorry for the early morning wake up call, we'll practice the singing for another time. Hope your birthday was awesome!

[Angie]

I called you yesterday to wish you a happy b-day but you were taking a well deserved birthday nap. Hope you had a great day.

[Meghan]

I hope you had a wonderful birthday! I guess the night is still young.

[Marie]

Happy, Happy birthday, Amy dear!

This was a great birthday post. I hope you have had a great day.

[Katie]

I love this post! Happy Birthday!!

I also loved the last post. I am greatful for the ideas. I've been trying to watch my calorie intake, but found myself confined to breakfast foods: healthy cereal, cereal bars, granola bars...yawn. The pitas and cucombers sound great!

[lelly]

happy birthday amy scott!! enjoy this latest chapter.

[Nina]

Happy Birthday Amy I have been thinking of you hope you had a wonderful day and the boys spoiled you rotten... Hope you have a GREAT year... Love you...

[jenny c.]

Happy birthday dear Amy! I hope you had a wonderful weekend :)

[Melissa]

What thoughts! I am truly inspired. Happy Birthday!

[Shanon]

You are amazing! Happy late birthday!

[Amy]

So poetic you are, Amy....and so young! :)
Happy day to you!

yummy snacks: frozen grapes, frozen bananas, Target brand "Archer farms" fat free yogurts (all flavors) with Bare Naked Fit granola on top :)

[rachel]

Happy WAY belated birthday!! I love this post. You are so clever with what you write. I am so glad that you are happier and more content then you have ever been. I think that is a major accomplishment! Congratulations and hope this year only gets better.

[Michelle M.]

Happy Birthday Amy! I hope you had a wonderful day!

[Annalisa]

What a fabulous post. It is a strange era in life now isn't? I looked at myself in the mirror the other day and was trying to figure out how old I looked to myself because my earlier idea of 30s is not matching up. And once again I have forgotten another birthday. I have forgotten everyone's birthday this year! I may even forget my own. No wait, that would make me feel way older than 34. I better not do that.

[Barb]

Amy at 35 with the heart of a poet! Happy Birthday!