At 10:47AM on a snowy December 17th morning a little baby was born. Her name was Jasmine Nicole Crawford. She weighed 6 lbs and 12 oz’s had a full head of hair, and was extremely light skinned (which her father later explained so light, he questioned whether the baby was his). No I’m not some creep knowing all of this information about some random baby, this little one is me! Today is my birthday, one of my favorite holidays.
It’s easy on a day dedicated to yourself to get caught up. Caught up on how many people remember your special day, caught up on how many Facebook posts you get, texts or phone calls. In the grand scheme of things what really is important? Whether it is some ego boost you like to get, with the amount of love you receive from people via words determining your worth or to be grateful for another year of life? I try to focus on the latter and my real reason for being here. Given the craziness happening in the world right now, I realize that my life could be taken at any moment. While I am learning it will be a beautiful day when I depart from this life and move onto the next, I feel it is important to take advantage of my time here.
To me, it is important to spend time with my loved ones. If they are not near, to hear their voices and to let them know how much they mean to me, is something I strive to do. This past weekend, instead of going out to some loud restaurant, surrounded by people I do not know, my husband chose to throw me a little dinner party at our home. Some of my closest friends were present and to me, that is what this season is all about. We got to be silly, we made videos, just spent uninterrupted quality time with each other. Thinking back on that night, I get a little emotional, because that was such a special night for me. Our time on this Earth shouldn’t be spent worrying about things we cannot control, focused on work, gossiping, having ill feelings towards others, just negativity… it should be happy, positive and full of love.
On my birthday this year it is my goal to embrace how truly blessed I am. I cannot make this day about myself, I should really lift up my God! To have a beautiful amazing husband, to live with my sister and see her every day, to have both of my wonderful parents very present in my life, as well as three living grandparents is such a big deal. To have incredible friends and a huge extended family who love me for who I am. To have a job that allows me to eat each and every day and pay my bills, to have a roof over my head every night and warm blankets to snuggle with. To live in a nation in which I am not chastised for who I love and to have people protecting my rights each and every day. I am so thankful and grateful for all that I have.
This birthday, the greatest gift that I have received has no monetary value. It is simply the life that I was blessed with. 26 magnificent years!!! Happy birthday to me!
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