A few days ago, I woke up to a house full of kind notes and small gifts. My friends had schemed together and concocted a plan to surprise me on my birthday with a scavenger hunt for things hidden around our house. I found these endearing sticky notes on our bathroom mirror (which hangs below our somewhat wonky bathroom light).

I have never been much of a birthday person. I don’t put a lot of stock in a single day. It seems to me that the true stuff of life can’t be characterized by discrete memorable moments. Sometimes, though, a single day can give us a fleeting, joyful glimpse into the nature of this whole “being alive” thing. This birthday was such a day.

Some speck of luck has found its way to me, and I have the privilege of being surrounded by people I admire, respect, and love. My only wish is that I have the sanity to continue to revel in that privilege.