I am 27

Posted by:
anjci

Under:
Everyday musings

On this day 10 years ago, I turned 17.

I was spending a few days in Edinburgh, Scotland, back then. Calum and Liz bought me a mini cake from Boots. Andy and Christine rushed to the kitchen and unearthed a yellow melon; “Happy birthday!” said Andy as he tore away the bright sticker and handed the melon over. And Al got me a Runrig CD. I still play it sometimes.

My family was in Latvia and the birthday was pretty low-key; that’s how I liked them best, anyway. Yet it was a special occasion in many respects. It was the first birthday I spent outside Latvia. It was my first ever visit to the UK; in fact, also to Western Europe and anywhere west of the Baltics. It was the first time I travelled abroad on my own. It was a first birthday in many ways.

Ten years ago, I was a teenager in my penultimate year of high school, unhappy with the world and wishing I was older. Older to do the things I wanted to do. Older to travel wherever I wanted to. Older to have the freedom – the freedom to live. I was wishing I was older, but never believed I would reach 27.

Since 2000, I have not been to Latvia for my birthday once. I have returned to Scotland on four consequent visits and spent one entire summer in Edinburgh. I have moved to live in the UK and am counting my fourth year in London. I have travelled all over Western Europe and to other parts of the world, mostly on my own. And I still do not like celebrating my birthday. I’d rather just hush it down and muse silently in the corner.

Things have moved up and down since 2000. I have had an amazing ten years. And, most importantly, I believe that I am finally free. Free to do. Free to travel. Free to live.

And I am still young : ) Happy birthday to me!