Monday, January 24, 2011

My Birthday Weekend

"21"

A big year for most American youth, because it's the year we become "legal" and successfully break away from one of the last societal contingencies that shackle us to adolescence. Granted, there are many MANY people my age who fail to wait for this glorious year of adult hood before diving headfirst into the illegal act of underage drinking, but I am proud to say that I was not one of them.

I am proud to say that I waited until I was legal. And honestly? That made the experience so much more fulfilling and meaningful because I didn't give into temptation and God was so gracious in giving me a model family to set that example.

But, anyway, this past weekend was exciting for a number of reasons.

1. I was old enough to do more than just sit in the hotel room

2. I was going with my family in a huge brood and that's always fun when there is a lot of us.

3. I was old enough to play slot machines, though I did it only once or twice because I'm not too keen about chancing my money.

4. We were staying in Mandalay Bay.

and

5. I got to see and enjoy how much this right of passage into adult meant to my cousins, my aunts, my uncles, my grandparents, and my parents.

You see, for me, though I did enjoy this weekend, for my birthday I wasn't expecting much. I'm not much of a party-goer, the "party" scene isn't really my scene. But when the idea for this came up I went along with it, not because I didn't like the idea, but because my family loved the idea.

This was an opportunity for them to share in my graduation to adulthood. This was exciting for them and because of that the experience was all the more sweeter.

I laughed a lot. I learned a lot. And I had a lot of fun.

Now, with it over do I think it's something I would ever want to do again?

Uh... haha I wouldn't mind going back to Las Vegas, the city that never sleeps. The hotels were fun and there was a lot to see.

But I'm not too keen on alcoholic drinks. The few that I did have left me a little light-headed and the taste was not one I would be jumping to have again. And the casino games kind of scared me. I would have preferred to go to Circus Circus or Excalibur and blow my money on carnival games, but watching people play is fun.

So, overall, I think I've simply come to the conclusion that it's nice to have the option.

And I praise God because this is one more thing that He's saved me from being enslaved to. He kept me away from temptation, He kept me grounded with loving parents and a loving family that keeps me accountable to my actions. And He also continues to provide these things regardless of my age.

So again, it's great that I have the option. But it's even more amazing when I choose to opt out.

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