The 30th

Last night, on my 30th birthday, we went to a seaside restaurant in Narragansett. Upon our return to the car after our meal, The Boss peered over a stone wall nearly as tall as she was to an ocean that crashed into rocks below us and stretched out in seeming endlessness before us.

"I can't believe my mind!" she marveled. She meant "eyes," but I liked her spin.

As she focused on the blue beyond, three categories of people squeezed by on the sidewalk: teenagers on the fast track to what lay in front of them; groups of elderly women in no hurry at all; and joggers making a loop. I watched them, then took in my family standing still at my side. The Boss took in sea and sky. Number Two looked at a strange combination of everything and nothing. From a perspective six feet high, The Partner kept a constant scan of all of us (with a few backward glances to the restaurant, where the hostess with the 20 inch waist floated by in front of each new party).

So this is thirty, I thought. The reality coursed through the different levels of my subconscious and my everyday brain, as muddy and salty as the Atlantic.

I can't believe my mind, either.

Comments

  1. Life As I Know ItJuly 31, 2008 at 6:04 AM

    Happy Birthday! Sound like it was a good night!

    ReplyDelete
  2. slouching momJuly 31, 2008 at 6:04 AM

    happy 30th, binky! there are great things ahead of you.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Mrs. ChickenJuly 31, 2008 at 7:46 AM

    I remember my 30th birthday fondly. You are so young to have accomplished so much. I eagerly await your next decade - I imagine your name emblazoned on book covers across the nation ...

    ReplyDelete
  4. iheartchocolateJuly 31, 2008 at 8:41 AM

    That's cute! Happy Birthday! I turned 30 last year, my huz turns 30 Saturday. I am so glad he finally caught up!

    ReplyDelete
  5. jenJuly 31, 2008 at 8:42 AM

    happy birthday, you. you little baby puppy, you.

    ReplyDelete
  6. BrendaJuly 31, 2008 at 5:03 PM

    Happy Birthday! It sounds like a beautiful setting to celebrate. I suppose your pace is currently between the fast track teens and the leisurely elders. Hmmm, but then again, as a parent, you probably are typically breezing along with the teens most of the time!

    ReplyDelete
  7. zellmerJuly 31, 2008 at 5:38 PM

    Happy Birthday! Welcome to the 30s. It's nice here.

    ReplyDelete
  8. LaurenJuly 31, 2008 at 7:39 PM

    This makes you a MILF. Not turning 30, just you in general. Sorry Chris. :)

    ReplyDelete
  9. musingAugust 2, 2008 at 10:31 AM

    Hello, found your thru eightcrazy designs.

    I'd love to quote you on my blog. Would you email me about it?

    And happy birthday! I loved my 30's. Old and young at the same time.

    ReplyDelete
  10. BozAugust 4, 2008 at 4:41 AM

    There were actually five types of people there: teenagers, the elderly, joggers, a tiny girl living in the moment, and one introspective observationist.

    ReplyDelete

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