With all the rapturing talk, and the nonsense of that...ahem...world leader taking over the airwaves, I kind of ignored my own birthday. Crossing over that date provides plenty of its own amusements without the nonsense of the wider world. I note that I do not have as much energy as I did when I first began running as a teenager and attempted to keep my health. I misplace things around the house and begin to think that I am pulling a prank on myself without the fear that I am just losing my mind. And I have no interest in a lot of old habits that I once thought would define me forever.
And I have things to say:
Yes, I got older, and not because of the job-hunting or stress. Life can do that to the best of us when we are not looking. I will not give my age here, but I will say that I am old enough to notice a few things:
1) Graffiti in my hometown that includes a web address. This intrigues me enough to seriously consider adding a link here (not going to, though; don't want that responsibility). I am also intrigued by the ones that include phone numbers, but that feels so last century (almost glad enough to say that; almost proud enough to remember that).
2) Your true friends will always stay in touch. Amazing how distance does not matter if people care. I know which faces I want to see and remember. All those messages on Facebook, WhatsApp and the like are always pleasant and worth my time. I thank you, folks.
3) I don't look my age. People keep guessing way off the mark. That can be advantageous. Maybe the grey that I see is not as visible as I think it is. Maybe I am taking care of myself much better than I think.
4) My family misses me. My fault for having a life. Okay, that sounds a little harsh...because I can see the lives of the people back home and it terrifies me. I prefer to deal with the chaos and tough road I have paved for myself than the dull comfort of that old world. But...I do miss them.
5) Strangers sometimes do care. Just introducing my birthday into the conversation proves this theory. For example, the local park is full of my fellow runners taking the track over and testing their stamina. And the baristas who now recognize me and my favourite orders are always intrigued (all before the tip, too; very nice).
6) There are some things that are just perfect (click here).
7) My mom misses me. Not much else to say.
8) I share my birthday with William Faulkner, Dmitri Shostakovich and Glenn Gould (any fans out there?). I also share it with Mark Hamill, Cheryl Tiegs and Will Smith (I know that there are fans out there). There is some celestial joke here that I should appreciate.
9) I really have to stop typing and get off this computer for one night.
10) That is never going to happen (I am tapping this out on my day off and I still have plans to finish up several other pieces and prep for the work week).
*
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About the Creator
Kendall Defoe
Teacher, reader, writer, dreamer... I am a college instructor who cannot stop letting his thoughts end up on the page. No AI. No Fake Work. It's all me...
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More stories from Kendall Defoe and writers in Confessions and other communities.
The Lady in the Square
There was not a lot of joy in my hometown that day. I was a student, and I had to use the downtown core in order to earn some extra money for my studies. And it was a beautiful day in the city. The sun had hit us with more heat than we deserved, but I still had to dress fairly conservatively for my work (I was a runner at the library and would be brought to different floors to return and restack books, handle damaged material, and generally assure others that the library had no disturbances that did not require the security guards I never saw). That must have been the reason why there were so many conferences and meetings in our city. I knew vaguely of the gatherings at the convention centre and could see the people who huddled in the lobby of the hotel that was attached to the mall. But it had nothing to do with me or my work…or so I thought.
By Kendall Defoe 5 months ago in Confessions
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Comments (14)
Happy belated birthday! Good insights for the year.
Happy Belated B-day, Mr Dafoe. I year at a time sweet Jesus. Hope you get to see more of your family soon.
An auspicious birthday to be sure! Do enjoy it, along with this quip from one of the artists with whom you share it, Mark Hamill: "Trump always sounds like a kid giving an oral report on a book he hasn't read."
Happy Birthday, Kendall, and may the road ahead be exciting and full of joy and fulfillment!
Happy birthday--or belated birthday, as the case might be. Your thoughts are very intriguing, especially the one about true friends keeping in touch no matter what the distance. I guess in that way, phones and social media have been a mixed blessing--helping us to stay in touch, even if they make us a little disconnected from reality. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us.
I hope you had a great birthday mate! I'm so glad you share a birthday with William Faulkner! That is so cool!!!!!
Happy Birthday, Kendall! Thank you for sharing your thoughts on the subject. I have one coming up in a little over a week, and I hadn't even realized it until one of my brothers asked what I wanted. I actually didn't have an answer. I don't know if it's typical for birthdays to lose their importance after a certain age, or if it's just me. They come and they go. I'm glad to still be here. By the way, the Dancing Babies videos have been my favorites for years!
You are worth celebrating. But I can see how that world leader can really harsh the vibe to party. But you are worth celebrating. Your vocal community celebrates you. Don't forget to be kind to yourself, and indulge in something you really like.
Wishing you a very happy birthday, Kendall! I agree with Shirley, and love your zest for life.🎈🎂🥳
Happy birthday, Kendall! (belatedly, perhaps) . I enjoyed your observations. I might use the idea on my birthday. This year, I move to an age five years older than my mother lived to be. It's more than a little terrifying, but certainly not without precedent.
Happy Birthday, Kendall! You put a smile on my face for so many reasons...love your though process, your honesty, your zest for life. Hope this year is a totally wonderful one for you! Go see your mom, though...
And Happy Birthday again, didn't really like the video, but some fun points here, and love the final meme, I have posted similar thoughts
happy birthday, kendall 💙 it's a wild world but you are still worthy of so much celebration. thank you for sharing these things you notice, some wonderful lessons and realities.
I hope you still enjoyed yourself regardless. HAPPY BIRTHDAY.