It is the anniversary of the day of my birth. My parents have already called to sing a comical version of the happy birthday song. (I always look forward to that) I will work today, more than likely performing the silent version of myself. I can’t shake a sense of melancholy. 33. Last night I went to the dogpark with Pooh, and I was able to cast off my gloom and feel cheerful for a minute. If you ever got the impression that I’m an odd bird, pat yourself on the back, because you are correct. The evidence supporting that conclusion is that recently I joined a married couples with kids Sunday school class. I was invited to the class before they knew my status. The first visit upon learning of my status, I thought they’d boot me out for sure. Excuse me, I think you’d be more comfortable in the single-with-no-kids class down the hall. But they surprised me by making me feel very welcome. It is weird sitting in class sometimes because I’m reminded of being different. I have always been unique, but in a good way. Happy moments... Occasionally my store will be visited by two little dudes, Chase and Oliver, they are in 6th and 7th grade. They ride their bikes up there and come inside for a cup of water. Whenever they see me their faces light up. I ask them about school and we talk. I mainly ask them questions and listen. (Kids are sometimes shy about sharing their opinions.) There is also another girl who comes in a lot. She’s in 9th grade. I think the world of her. I love that she is generous with giving out smiles. The other day, I told her “I would love to be a teacher just to have a classroom filled with 25 people just like you.” I went to a party a couple of weekends ago. It was not ideal. My idea of the “perfect party” involves a bathroom with toilet paper AND hand soap. I just don’t relax well, when I know that germs are freely flowing from person to person with nothing to stop them. I saw a guy I used to work with and I said hello. We talked for a bit. He knew everyone at the party, but he wanted to jump on the trampoline with me. (so he could go back to work the next day and say I bounced with Leigh last night and it was awesome) It made me feel good to be singled out like that, so of course I jumped. Mind you I’m not used to jumping on a trampoline by myself so with another person added it was tricky. I screamed to high heaven a couple of times. My right foot landed at odd angles so that by the end of the experience my skin burned and appeared black like it had been beaten. I limped back to my chair and said goodbye to my friend. Even though there was no hand soap and my right foot hurt like hell, this experience made me smile.
