A Crown Birthday Present from the Year 2000

Picture by: Lateefah Joseph

So I'm turning 26 on Sunday and I'm having trouble filing my feelings. I could think of it as the run up to a milestone- 26! I mean, I arrived here relatively unscathed. All limbs attached, heart's four chambers intact, principles weathered but still standing. Things are definitely looking up, I'm definitely on my way to better days. The blessings in my life are endless, I finally feel like I  have earned God's favour. I'm riding a wave, part of a movement, basically I'm on a positive trajectory- i think you get the picture.

And on the other hand I just feel plain OLD :( When did I start thinking about making my parents proud, when did I start saying things like "well I wouldn't want my kids to see that picture of me one day", "Lady Gaga is a terrible role model", when did my besties start buying eye cream for wrinkles! I'll call it what it is- scary and totally unoriginal. People have faced and survived these emotions for years. You get old (God willingly) and those are just the facts of life.

And on the other hand (Yes, I have three hands), I have a specific anxiety about my time capsule. 10 years ago, I thought it would be smart to document my life and wisdom on my 16th birthday.
 
Exactly. 
I know!
So the time has come for me to open my time capsule (which is really just a folder of facts/ pictures/ hair clippings) and to see how much my life (and weight) has changed. I remember very little of what is in the capsule and I wonder whether I will be more surprised, disappointing or relieved.

I know and recognise the happiness I have at age 26, but how different were my ideals 10 years ago? All things fantastic and horrible have happened since. I hope I can look the 26 year old me in the eye on Sunday and feel love, despite the newsflash from the year 2000 (literally).