Observations on My Birthday

With all the rapturing talk, and the nonsense of that...ahem...world leader taking over the airwaves, I kind of ignored my own birthday. Crossing over that date provides plenty of its own amusements without the nonsense of the wider world. I note that I do not have as much energy as I did when I first began running as a teenager and attempted to keep my health. I misplace things around the house and begin to think that I am pulling a prank on myself without the fear that I am just losing my mind. And I have no interest in a lot of old habits that I once thought would define me forever.

And I have things to say:

Yes, I got older, and not because of the job-hunting or stress. Life can do that to the best of us when we are not looking. I will not give my age here, but I will say that I am old enough to notice a few things:

1) Graffiti in my hometown that includes a web address. This intrigues me enough to seriously consider adding a link here (not going to, though; don't want that responsibility). I am also intrigued by the ones that include phone numbers, but that feels so last century (almost glad enough to say that; almost proud enough to remember that).

2) Your true friends will always stay in touch. Amazing how distance does not matter if people care. I know which faces I want to see and remember. All those messages on Facebook, WhatsApp and the like are always pleasant and worth my time. I thank you, folks.

3) I don't look my age. People keep guessing way off the mark. That can be advantageous. Maybe the grey that I see is not as visible as I think it is. Maybe I am taking care of myself much better than I think.

4) My family misses me. My fault for having a life. Okay, that sounds a little harsh...because I can see the lives of the people back home and it terrifies me. I prefer to deal with the chaos and tough road I have paved for myself than the dull comfort of that old world. But...I do miss them.

5) Strangers sometimes do care. Just introducing my birthday into the conversation proves this theory. For example, the local park is full of my fellow runners taking the track over and testing their stamina. And the baristas who now recognize me and my favourite orders are always intrigued (all before the tip, too; very nice).

6) There are some things that are just perfect (click here).

7) My mom misses me. Not much else to say.

8) I share my birthday with William Faulkner, Dmitri Shostakovich and Glenn Gould (any fans out there?). I also share it with Mark Hamill, Cheryl Tiegs and Will Smith (I know that there are fans out there). There is some celestial joke here that I should appreciate.

9) I really have to stop typing and get off this computer for one night.

10) That is never going to happen (I am tapping this out on my day off and I still have plans to finish up several other pieces and prep for the work week).

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You can find more poems, stories, and articles by Kendall Defoe on my Vocal profile. I complain, argue, provoke and create...just like everybody else.

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