Lesson #26: And In The End...

It's just like The Beatles say: The love you take is equal to the love you make. I survived my birthday. But I did more than that. I think I actually enjoyed it. Sure, there were a few minor crises and setbacks, an emotional meltdown or two (not mine for a change! :)), the slowest taxi driver in the history of the automotive industry, some of the worst discos in the history of the tourist industry (ok, so they weren't that bad, but I'm just too old for this shit). But the weather was spectacular. My dress looked incredible. The five star French feast we had while sitting on the beach at a candlelit table was straight out of The Bachelorette. Minus all the cameras of course. At times I forgot it was my birthday, and at others it was all I could think about; at times I was proud to be one of the oldest people at the club and yet still one of the best dancers, while at others I was freaked out to be surrounded by young girls literally half my age. The morning after feels strange, too. It's pouring harder than I've ever seen rain come down. My best friend is leaving (here's hoping her plane takes off). We met some amazing people, ate the most incredible food, swam in crystal water on gold sand beaches, listened to a lot of soca, and then it all comes to an end. Nothing lasts forever, whether it is a tropical vacation, a thunderstorm, being in your 30s and dreading every minute, having a baby stay a baby. But relationships and love do endure. And maybe that is one of the lessons I needed to learn. I was so wrapped up in the number, the end of an era, the drama and the trauma of it all, but I am surrounded by people who love me and I love them back with all I have to give (which as it turns out, is a lot). Be yourself Speak up Good things come to those who wait Sometimes it rains on your parade All you need is love No matter how far you've gone down the wrong road, turn back And in the end...you have everything you need, right here, wherever you are, wherever you're going. Journey. Destination. Enjoy the ride...