19

A funny thing happened this week, the week of my 19th birthday (which happens to be tomorrow). Mom's friend's daughter came to our house to pick up some paperwork from my Mom to give to her Mom. I was upstairs tidying my room when Mom called me downstairs to meet the daughter. I came down.

She was tall and pretty with a nice smile. We were exchanging small talk when she asked me, "What grade are you in?"

I wish I can convey to you the way she said this question. She said it sweetly--too sweet. I wanted to say that I was in 7th grade. I wondered if she would have believed me. I told her the truth though (my parents were right there), that I was going to be a second year in college. So was she. We were the same age.

I was flattered by her question. I inferred from her tone that she thought I was younger--how could anyone within 3 feet miss it? How much younger, I'd like to know. When I was a sophomore in high school, I was mistaken for a 7th grader. Just this year, the lady who did my facials thought I was 15 or 16. I'm comforted by these misjudgments, yet know that there will be a negative side to it someday. I don't want to venture there right now.

I really don't want to celebrate my b-day. I just want to have a quiet dinner with the fam--that is all. I was planning to invite my friends over, but, it's sad but--I changed my mind (sorry Chaunce). I just wanted to be with the fam. How weird is that? I just want to be with the fam, and when I'm not with the fam, I want to be alone. It's this sort of b-day grieving period I sort of go through. It lasts a couple of days. Anyway, it's not serious, it's totally normal.

birthday plans:
1. go to Mass
2. ?
3. dinner with the fam