Extra Wishes on My Birthday?

Every year on my birthday, August 11, the Perseid Meteor shower is in its peak. I love watching the “shooting stars” and often think back to the first time I watched the shower on my birthday. I remember that we were living in Hanover Park, IL; just outside of Chicago. I remember sitting outside opening my gifts. My family was never into the “wrapping” of the gifts and always remember my Mom saying that she would spare no expense on all wrapping that was done with a plastic or paper store bags lol. Who cares about the wrapping

Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net

anyways? All the quicker to get to the gift which I do believe was some clear mascara and lip gloss along with other things I don’t remember because I GOT MAKEUP I remember after opening gifts my Dad and I sat outside to wait until dark to watch shooting stars, there were quite a few neighbors outside that night with us as well – that was my first meteor shower I watched on my birthday. I couldn’t have been any older than 12 and never realized that at that moment all of my birthdays would forever have a special theme.

My 23rd birthday was spent in Festus, MO laying out under the stars in my friend Brandi’s driveway with a few bottles of wine. The more we drank, the more stars we saw. My 25th birthday was spent at my BFF Chrissy’s house. Once again wine was involved along with a special cake she made. That birthday was too cloudy to watch the stars, but that didn’t stop us from sitting outside to try and catch a glimpse through the overcast of the clouds. I’ve stared up at the sky from many places; friends backyards, St. Pete beach, the backyard of my Moms old house, outside bars and clubs hoping for the clouds to pass and all this time I never realized just how lucky I am/ was to have a birthday that coincides with the peak of a meteor shower. Think about it – we all get a wish on our birthday when we blow out our candles and we also get wishes when we see shooting stars meaning I get extra wishes on my birthday.

This year I am going to start something new. I am starting a jar to collect notes of all the amazing things that have happened professionally and personally as well as a jar to fill with things that I want to accomplish or do in the next year. I believe these things along with my extra wishes will indeed make my 32nd year on this planet a remarkably memorable one and next year while waiting for the meteor shower to begin I will open both jars and remember every step of my journey from the past year – that’s as long as the zombies don’t get us!

Here are some tips for viewing the meteor shower this weekend.