So is slitting my throat an option?
In nine days, I will be 30.
Dang.
You know, I always thought I would remain young forever. It’s funny how when you’re young, you can’t wait to grow up, and when you’re grown up, you wish you could slow everything down just a tad.
Let the days linger so I can have more quality time with my wife. Let the weeks go languid so I can still have my grandmother around to share wisdom and lumpia recipes. Let the months go slow so I can still enjoy my mother’s company. Let the years crawl by so I can keep Nathan young and innocent, and really enjoy Baby Deen #2 before s/he leaves for college.
Truth is, I’m not afraid of 30. I actually welcome 30 (albeit with the excitement that comes with welcoming the BIR guy coming to visit more than, say, Kris Aquino - yeah, I do wanna meet her).
I’ve got a beautiful, intelligent, sweet, wonderful wife; a brilliant, handsome, sensitive son; another God-blessing on the way with the upcoming birth of my second child; a fantastic job with the most fantastic company and the most fantastic people to work with; and enough body fat to keep me alive in times of famine.
Sure, I would’ve liked to be rich and famous. But rich means dealing with the taxes and keeping my kids away from kidnappers. Famous means never having a minute’s peace because everyone wants a piece of you.
Sure, I’d like to be slim again. Not for me, but for my family because I would like to stick around longer to see my kids off to college. But you know what? I think I can do it, because I’ve done it before. With the support of my family, my friends (who’ve seen me in thick and thin then thick again), and my God, I could be. Why not?
What’s so scary about 30? Some people get all worried and problematic. Me, I’m ready and raring to go. Bring on the wrinkles.
(Although I am considering a 4th tattoo as a birthday gift to myself. Hobbes the tiger on my ankle. What do you think?)
Ganns,
30 ain’t bad, especially if you have something to look forward to, like your son growing up, or like seeing Baby #2, or going to that long-planned-vacation-but-never-really-happened…
i am 38 but i don’t really feel the age, except for a few joint pains and that constant ache on my lower back… but my wife and son keeps me younger than i feel!!
my son keeps me fit by having me run around the house after him… and my wife by — well, let’s just say that i never had a complete sleep since we were together…
so, 30 really is not so bad, after all!! happy birthday, ganns, in 30 days… hehehe
Ciao…
Amen, Chris! Amen!
i have this habit of rubbing it in to people how old i was exactly when graduated and started working, but i won’t do that now. Some other time, maybe. lol
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MR DEEN
you know where to look for me 
oh yeah, no signs of you signing up in my gym yet?
Hey Jeff!
Cathy and I discussed it, and there simply isn’t enough time right now for me to schedule in regular workouts enough to make it worth it.
But let’s keep in touch, yeah, you young whippersnapper.
I remember 30. It was about 7 years ago. Wow, I feel old.
You’re only as old as you feel (and how you perceive and live life). Besides, you don’t even look like you’re in your late 20’s.
Happy Birthday, Ganns.
The surefire way to feel younger: talk to much older people.
Happy Birhday Mister Dean!
Dan: You think you feel old? I’m in the 10% of people in my office above 30. Oi vey.
Thanks, Vida and benj! I’ll be sure to hang out with the older generation, then.