Since turning 30 is considered such a milestone in a person’s life, I thought it appropriate to create a list of 30 basic principles or realizations I’ve learned and acquired over the course of mine. 

Some of them have come from observation, some from my own experiences, some are funny, some are serious… but all very important.  Take from them what you will.

In no particular order:

1. Friends are extremely important.

2. Life is entirely too short.

3. You can never replace your family so appreciate and love them – even if it is difficult sometimes.

4. You can’t change anyone but yourself – so if you don’t like something, look in the mirror and try to improve from there.

5. God is the only true thing that will never let you down.

6. Don’t spend more than you make.

7. Forgiving someone is golden.

8. Everything in your life happens in baby steps so don’t try to rush it, you’ll just be left with frustration.

9. Cats multiply entirely too quickly. (For those of you who know me, you will understand this one).

10. Always stop to take in and appreciate the simple things, those are often the best gifts you’ll ever receive.

11. Listen to people older than you, they often have more wisdom whether you are willing to admit it or not.

12. Hard work is the only way to be truly successful.

13. It is through difficulties that we build our character, however it is through prosperity that we demonstrate our character.

14. You can learn something from everyone you meet if you just pay attention.

15. Life isn’t easy, but it’s so worth it.

16. My mom is the best friend I’ll ever have.

17. Boredom is a symptom of laziness.

18. Always keep toilet paper readily available in the house.

19. While it is exciting to travel and see the world, there’s no place like home.

20. Always listen to your gut – your heart is too emotional and your head overthinks everything. 

21. You can never go wrong by giving something of yourself to another.

22. Despite the best planning, sometimes life’s detours allow you to experience the sweetest moments of your life.

23. Turning the stove on does help your effort to boil a pot of water.

24. Lying only leads to consequences. (You can thank my parents for that realization).

25. Loving someone and allowing them to love you back is one of the hardest but most rewarding adventures you’ll ever go on.

26. New cars can be wrecked and damaged just as easily as old cars.

27. Pick your battles.

28. You must do something productive every day.

29. Doing something that will put a smile on another’s face is never a waste.

30. 30 is just a number.

This doesn’t even begin to scrape the surface of thirty years of lessons but hopefully this gives you a small idea of what I’ve learned along the way.  It’s hard to believe I have three decades of life experiences behind me.  A Spot of Thankfulness for today, my 30th birthday, is that I am grateful for the wonderful life I’ve had so far and I’m now looking toward the next thirty in hopes they’ll be the best years of my life.

My grandmother rarely mentioned him.  But every once in a while a comment would slip through her lips about her brother.  He was born on July 4, 1924 and died by sniper fire somewhere in the cold mountains of Nazi Germany on October 1, 1944.  He was laid to rest on a beautiful hillside overlooking the Vosges Moutains in Epinal, France next to 5,255 of his brothers in arms.  He was only 20.  His name was Alvin.

When my grandmother passed away in 1998, we found pictures, letters, certificates and other memorabilia that represented the life of her baby brother.  She had packed them up in a couple of boxes and tucked them away, much the same way I think she did with her heartache over the loss of her only sibling.

His death forever changed the course of our family.  The relationships between my grandmother and her mother, my grandmother and her children – I feel were quite different than they would have been had he lived.  A piece of my grandmother died the day she received news that he was killed in action.  And I feel that a little bitterness set in, took hold, and never quite let go.

I feel honored to have my great uncle Alvin in my family tree, for his sacrifice in the name of our country and for the love he had for his big sister.  Something I only realized after reading the sweet letters he sent home.

With another great uncle, a grandfather, three uncles and my own father that served in the military, all during wartime, I grew up learning that our great country is only great because of men and women who are willing to put their lives at risk to defend our honor, our freedoms.

For those in my family and those millions of others who have sacrificed so much for our security and comfort I would like to say thank you.  This Memorial Day is an opportunity to say I am so grateful for your commitment and ultimate sacrifice.

When you go home, tell them of us and say, for their tomorrow, we gave our today. ~ The Kohima Epitaph