On Birthdays and Turning 36

My birthday never really feels official until my Mom calls to sing Happy Birthday. She did that yesterday as I took the train to New York for the day, and then it felt official: I was 36. I spent the day poking around some of my favorite shops, eating lunch (complete with chocolate cake and a rhubarb mimosa) at my favorite restaurant, wandering through a favorite museum, and, in general, feeling really, really lucky and happy. I am so enormously grateful for all of the family and friends who fill my life with joy and good cheer and banter and kindness, and yesterday felt like a celebration of them, too. In college and in secondary school, finals and AP exams almost always fell on my birthday; now that I am older, I can often take a one day holiday from work and do a little something special. Happy Birthday to my fellow Taureans out there, and thanks to all of you for making my life a little bit better. (Please click on individual images for links to original sites and credits.)