44

Today's my 44th birthday.  No, I'm not wearing that shirt to work today.

I asked my mom last night what she remembered about the day I was born.  As I said last week, I'm adopted (sorry that shocked some of you.  I seriously feel like an open book and think everyone knows all of my secrets.) Anyway, she said she remembers she was outside working in the garden when the phone rang announcing my arrival.  She said they told her to come in and see her new baby girl.  I seem to remember she used to tell us a story about how she ran outside and yelled "it's a girl" or "I'm a mom" or something like that.  Someday I'll get around to scanning old baby pictures.  I was pretty cute back then. ;)

The nurses at the hospital knew I was being adopted and named me "Kay" during the three days I was in the hospital before my parents took me home.  I don't think I look like a Kay so I'm glad my mom and dad named me Jeanelle.  I used to hate how long and different my name was and wished I could find my name on a pencil or license plate for my bike.  Now, I love it.  I love that it's spelled differently and I love that there aren't a lot of Jeanelles out there.

I feel okay being 44, for the most part.  I hate the lines around my eyes and the fact that another year has come and gone and I'm one year closer to spinster-hood (kidding...kind of.)  But for the most part, I'm happy with my 40s. I like this stage better than my 20s and 30s.  I feel more settled in who I am, I'm at a great place spiritually and I'm blessed that I have so many people in my life who love me and help me to be better than I am.

If you're reading this, you're probably one of those people.  Thank you for supporting me and reminding me that even though I still live by myself, I'm never truly alone.