An Open Birthday Card to Myself

Dear Eden,

Happy Birthday to you! I know, I know, you think birthdays are lame, especially yours. But I’m not gonna let you be a bitch to yourself this year. You don’t think you deserve kindness but you do. You’re allowed to be selfish.

You’re allowed to care about your career.

You’re allowed to feel ugly and you’re allowed to feel beautiful.

I hope this year you allow yourself to love yourself. You need it. You’re dehydrated of love. You need an IV of it.

Look, I know this is a sad time of year because birthdays remind you of your parents. They used to put a present by your bedside when you woke up the morning of your birthday until the day you moved out. Your dad drove to your college dorm to surprise you. This day felt special because your parents made it special, probably because they made you. With both your parents gone, birthdays will always be a little bitter.

Chin up, kiddo. I know you’re worried and frightened of growing up and getting old, but it will be ok in the end.

And if it’s not OK, it’s not the end.

Now go have some cake and fart on snobby people at a fancy restaurant.

Much love,

Eden