My 20th Birthday

This past Friday (December 18th) was my 20th birthday. I had a wonderful day with loved one’s and dear friends. I had a lot of thoughts about turning 20, some of which I will share.

My first thought was that I am no longer a teenager. I haven’t technically felt like a “teenager” for years, but it’s the whole concept that ages 13-19 are over and will never return. I’ve reflected a lot on my teenage years. I have seen trials and tribulations but also a lot of goodness and blessings. I don’t look back on my teenage years and see them as the most easy times; in fact, I anticipate my adult life to go much smoother (simply for the sake that I am so much more aware of who I am and how I can claim my happiness.) However, albeit not easy, I see my teenage years holding incredibly significant moments that have shaped me forever.

Some of those significant moments: The Tri-County youth group and youth leadership team which held some of the most challenging yet wonderful moments of my life. Tea time every Thursday afternoon with Allison, Reni and Johnny (in his office.) Dave’s death on July 5, 2005. Mondays at MEC and the many opportunities it gave me. Sunday nights at Johnny’s house with Julia and Jesse, having 1am conversations in the hot tub. Walks with Allison, almost every single night, up and down our street. “Girls Only” club on Wednesday nights and the friendships that so deepened there. Playing flute for the worship team, both with Dave and without. Graduating high school, getting accepted into all the schools I applied for and choosing LVC. Art nights with Julia, painting and drinking wine at my kitchen table till very late. My first trip to the ocean. Ballet lessons with Rachel every Saturday morning. My first tattoo. The internship at SVPS my Senior year. My TMJ and years working through the healing. Daily piano and Greek lessons with Yiayia. Youth convention weekends. A dear friend attempting suicide.

My second thought was that 20 and the year 2010 is a whole new decade and passage of life. Those numbers seem significant. I know how many things could happen from 20-30; such as getting my master’s (let’s shoot for doctorate!), traveling, getting a job, my own place, or maybe, towards the latter end, even beginning my adoption process.  It both excites me and scares me that the next 10 years could hold so many changes.

I was asking myself, “if I could pick any words that totally summed up my teenage years and upcoming adult years, what words would I choose?” These simple words from the Scriptures are the closest I could find. There are not many things I am sure of, but I am sure of God’s love for me. I am very aware that I have been through some ups and downs but God’s mercy has not run dry. I am very thankful for what I have already journeyed. Here’s to another 20 years.

The love of the Lord endures.
The love of the Lord endures.
If there’s only one thing, I can be sure,
It’s that the love of the Lord endures.