Here’s what’s been happening as of late…
1) My birthday was on Sunday. I’m one of the few people who was able to celebrate my birthday last year with the squad as well, because it happened during training camp. The only difference was that last year we had all just met, and when my birthday rolled around no one really remembered. Halfway through the morning I realized that if I didn’t say anything the whole day could go by and I might as well start writing a knockoff screenplay to the movie Sixteen Candles (though mine would’ve be aptly named Twenty-three Candles). I finally managed up the courage to say something, and of course it came out awkwardly. “Oh, uh, what day is it? Really, it’s May 30? I’m pretty sure it might be my birthday, maybe,” I said in a group of people. So the news was out and people sang happy birthday and Shannon drew me a picture and Melanie bought me a piece of cake and all was good in the world again.
The night before my birthday this year I was remembering all this, and I wondered if once again no one would remember my birthday. But then I decided that even if no one remembered, it wouldn’t matter because my self-worth isn’t based on a single day when people make you feel special for being born.
But this year people remembered my birthday, and then some. I felt like God was showing off the whole day – it’s as if he was saying, “I knit you together in your mother’s womb, and I want the world to know it.” The entire day was filled with special moments – complete with silly gifts and delicious pancakes and a squad-sing-a-long and Dairy Queen and that time Dan took over the intercom during the plane ride from Cambodia to Thailand and had everyone sing happy birthday to me. And basically I am in awe of how beautiful community is, and how this year’s birthday was such a stark contrast to last year’s. We were all strangers last year – this year we are family.
2) On a completely different note, I’ve been sick for the last few weeks with a cough, congestion and my faithful friend diarrhea. I decided to go to the hospital yesterday with a few other sickies on the squad. I wanted to get diagnosed for my cough/congestion, but also I wanted to get my stool checked for a parasite. The only problem is that I was worried I wouldn’t be able to give a sample when asked (too much pressure!) So, I ended up saving one of my stools from earlier in the day. I carried it around in a ziplock bag in my purse until I arrived at the hospital, and get this, the doctor never even wanted to check my stool. Can you believe it!
