maypirate

I've been meaning to write this post for days, but I've been completely undermined by being incredibly tired and uh...you know, general...failing at things.

My birthday was wonderful, and that's where it ends and begins.

I had to go to work, yes, but I got to wake up to cards, even one from Anax, which was surprising and perfect.

I went to work and my mom brought in a cake and party hats and noise-makers because she is adorable and it was delicious, and I gave some away to my favorite customers, one of whom even e-mailed his friend to tell her to come down and tell me "happy birthday."

Don came over for dinner, and we had tonkatsu, and Bob and Decken came over for cake and my stomach didn't hurt and it was just... it was.

I've been looking around my room and thinking about how I'm now 23 and I can't hang my clothes up, I fall asleep on top of my bed instead of in it, I can't eat like a human, etc. But I did get into grad school, and I do have a good job, and though every year I'm in a different country or a different state than the last, that's all right with me, because one thing that doesn't change no matter where I am are my friends.

And that's what made my birthday matter. Because I looked at my LJ and I saw my name in html lights and I looked at my friends and saw them smile and I was queen of the whole world. LJ balloons and roses and beautiful art and stories and silly t-shirts and love from people I didn't know a year ago but who have become as close to me as if they lived right next door.

I haven't always been everything I've wanted to deserve this, but it reminds me to try. I don't have anything deeply profound to say, but I'm just grateful for all of you every day.

Now if only it could be my birthday every day...

"My only sketch of heaven is a clear blue sky, and a bigger sky than I have even seen in June, and in it are all my friends, every one of them." - Emily Dickinson