Things I Know 61 of 365: I am 30

Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter, and those who matter don’t mind.

– Dr. Seuss

Thirty years and a day ago, I wasn’t.

Then, the next day, I was.

For the last couple months, my sister Rachel has been teasing me about this birthday.

“You know,” she’s said with that tone where the “o” in “know” lasts a bit longer, “you are going to be old soon.”

She’s teasing, trying to elicit a defensive, fear-of-death response.

“I know,” I reply, “I can’t wait.”

It’s true.

I’m not exactly rushing toward death, but certainly rushing toward whatever’s next.

Truth be told, I’ve put quite a bit into those 30 years.

I’ve:

• been born.
• learned to walk and talk.
• had stitches a bunch of times.
• built many forts and clubhouses.
• had four dogs.
• fallen in love.
• become a vegetarian.
• lived in four states.
• gotten a college degree.
• run 8 marathons.
• become a big brother three times over.
• started my master’s degree – three times over.
• taught over 1,000 kids.
• seen the divorces and marriages of my parents.
• served as editor in chief of a newspaper.
• rafted down the Colorado River.
• officiated three weddings of friends.
• seen the sun rise over the Atlantic Ocean.
• watched the sun set over the Pacific Ocean.
• run along the coast of the Indian Ocean.
• visited Kenya.
• visited South Africa (twice).
• co-authored and edited a book.
• skydived.
• lost my bookbag to a baboon.
• recovered my bookbag from a baboon.
• died my hair blue, green, read, orange, purple, and blond.
• smoked a few cigars.
• learned how to cook.
• performed improv.
• told my family and friends I love them (but probably not enough).
• been diagnosed with and recovered from osteomyelitis.
• developed an allergy to cats.
• visited 40 of the states in the Union.
• read.
• transitioned from being a PC to being a Mac.
• accidentally shot a bluejay with a BB gun.
• watched every episode of The West Wing and Arrested Development like it was my job.
• caught snowflakes on my tongue.
• written.
• failed.
• changed the world by doing way more than saving a single starfish.
• mourned the death of Johnny Cash.
• voted.
• collected hats.
• collected pins.
• sounded my barbaric Yawp.
• cried.
• been a member of a live studio audience.
• gambled in a casino.
• decided casinos make me sad.
• played with a wood burning kit.
• sang.
• left a thawing Cornish game hen in a sculpture shaped like a hand (four times).
• learned to crochet.
• laughed.

And those are just the things I can remember off the top of my head.

I can’t wait for the next 30 years.