24 Things I Now Know

1. Keep calm and call your mom.

2. You don’t have to finish everything you start… this doesn’t mean you failed.

3. Thank your Dad for insisting a spare car key be affixed with duct tape underneath your vehicle.

4. Buy a couch made for afternoon naps.

5. Moms love you to the moon and back, despite whatever wild rocket ship you take them on.

6. A movie that doesn’t interest you is not always a waste of time; learn from it.

7. Eat local. It tastes better.

8. The Swede in me doesn’t do sun tans.

9. I prefer vegetables in my cake, skip the frosting.

10. The name Hillary seems it will always be a nickname magnet.

11. Say “I love you” more.

12. Ice cream: the simpler, the better.

13. Make messes — the clean up is that much more satisfying.

14. All traditions have an expiration date.

15. You don’t always have to run that extra mile.

16. Ask questions.

17. Scratches and scars are inevitable; embrace them.

18. Yoga and meditation are no hocus pocus.

19. Buy the overpriced shoes; you’re worth it.

20. Do not fret the future.

21. A chocolate chip binge won’t kill you.

22. Grandmas have you on their mind at all times.

23. Buy yourself fresh flowers.

24. Endings = beginnings.

Today is, in fact, my twenty fourth birthday. A casual day it’s been, filled with simple pleasures: an early {24-minute} sunrise run, iced coffee, fresh flowers, friendly phone calls, veggie sushi, and homemade vanilla bean ice cream.

Welcome Year 24 — let’s have a ball!!

BIRTHDAYS:

• Birthday #23
• Twenty Two Part I & Part II
• Twenty One Part I & Part II + the one and only Chocolate Avocado Cake