twenty four

There is something about birthdays. When you are a kid, birthdays are just huge, filled with a couple of parties, presents, hugs and beijinhos from all the uncles and aunts, balloons and friends. I have really great memories from playing hide and seek in our little apartment and being like all sweat in the end of the party. Then you are teenager. You are all grown up, done with parties at home, you go out with friends and have a great time until midnight. You are that rebellious. Suddenly you are in your early twenties. Wow! I am an adult, dang. You go out with your friends from university, enjoy a great meal with a fantastic glass of wine and there might be dancing. Been there, done that. Then one day you are about to turn 24. There is something about 24. You feel older. I am experiencing feelings that I have never felt before. I don't mind if my birthday present is a carpet for my living room. My idea of a perfect night includes a small group of friends sitting around a table, laughing and telling stories. There's something about 24. Adulthood becomes real. Maybe because this is the first time I am out of school and have in fact a real full-time job. I am closer to cheaper insurance. I am about to start graduate school. I have that small group of strong women around me, teaching me all the essentials. And I am stopping and considering what it really means to hold fast to the truth of the gospel of Jesus as a daughter, a sister, a friend, a student, an employee. There are deep questions and concerns in my mind; many of them were never that important. There is something about 24. There is also a weird realization that life at 24 is so very different from what I dreamed of in my teenage years. So here we go! Bring it on 24. I am looking forward to see how God will surprise me, reveal his truth and how I will be called to hold fast to that same truth.