Today last year I was still in my sophomore dining room class. A couple of the guys took me to Mario’s pizza for a beer….and then I had to go to work. It had been a long day and even longer night, I was tired and had actually forgotten all about getting older. After punching out and starting to say goodbye, one of the waiters picked me up and carried me over to a group of people singing around a chocolate lava cake with a candle in it. After the initial shock of being picked up and turning my usual shade of bright red I laughed and ate my cake, and laughed some more. I was missing my family so much that week, and the way everyone made me smile made it all so much better.
My birthday is my third favorite day of the year. The first is Christmas, second Thanksgiving and third my birthday. It isn’t because of the presents (though I certainly enjoy them) and it isn’t because of the cake (though I certainly enjoy that as well). I simply love it because it is one of those days that people go out of their way to say hi and smile. It one of those days I generally hear from people I haven’t talked to in a reeeeaaaally long time, and it is one of those days I find myself really happy to have been blessed with such lovely people in my life. This is my third birthday not at home. My mom didn’t wake me up with a cup of coffee and a plate of smiling food, my sister didn’t tape up hearts and randomly funny signs around the house and on my mirror (She also didn’t take disturbing pictures of me during my breakfast half asleep and still disheveled from my visit to the world of dreams .. yay!), My dad didn’t serenade me as he came home from work with a bouquet of roses, and I wasn’t told to stay out of the kitchen and sit down on the couch only to relax and enjoy my. I miss that a lot, but just like last year I had plenty to finish it with a smile.
I woke up early and took a walk. There was a bit of chill in the air, but my podcast and gloves kept me warm enough and distracted enough to ignore the discomfort. At first it was all a bit grim and I was almost tempted to turn around and snuggle under my covers, but I persevered and am happy for it. My first birthday outside of the country should begin outside in new country. The cows “mooed,” birds tweeted (naturally with their voices…not on their phones)(… oh bad joke)(sorry), and I walked happily, seeping in the new color changes… subtle… but lovely.
Yesturday, my friend had given me an early celebratory slice of German cheesecake with a candle and for dinner (there was a bit of a mix up on the date: my fault)they made chicken wings so that it would feel a bit more American :) Today as I walked into the kitchen and prepared my cutting board two of the chefs walked over with a mini cake with candle singing “Happy Birthday” in such a lovely accent. So sweet and so unnecessary for them to do but made my day. I even got a present: They gave me a Sonnenalp Thermos ( important for the coming cold weather:)). People randomly wished me a happy birthday throughout the day by either giving me hugs or shaking my hand to wish me all the best. It seems that birthdays are treated as quite the special day here. It was… okay I generally try to avoid use of the following word, but at the moment it’s all I’ve got: nice. Really, really, reeeeaaaaalllly nice. The nice that make you feel all warm and fuzzy… Even Mr. Sonnenalp, himself, came up to me in the kitchen to shake my hand.
It was a truly good day. No kindness required but certainly given. I still have my cake left over from earlier today and plan on munching on it a bit with some tea before falling asleep. As much I would love to be back home licking the candles from my Mississippi Mud cake (my yearly request),I’m happy I’m 24 and I am happy to celebrate it here in Germany. A year till the quarter century mark ( should I say: Eeek), but this is a good age and I am soo thankful for what God has given me up till now… and look forward to seeing what He has in store for my future.
I should end here with a note: Thank you mother, for your hard work till 2:26 AM. I’m sure that part wasn’t fun but thanks for going through it anyways :) 
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