Happy 40th! Reading this made me so happy for you and for me as another late diagnosed autistic person with chronic illness raised in high control religion! Just this morning I said out loud, 22 year old me would hate how much makeup I’m wearing. But 36 year old me gets to do whatever I want and she didn’t! She was trapped! The joy of getting free just keeps unfolding as the years go on. Some days I could just bubble over with the bliss of the future I’m living that I never imagined I would be allowed to have and be. Thanks for modeling the way.
D.L., I am a silent reader, never having the time or words to share here. But after reading this post, I had to get on and say a rousing Happy Birthday! and Thank you! You sharing your story is opening up spaces in me that have needed air for so long.
Happy, happy birthday. You are such a gift. Your persistence in exercising your voice in this space has been a persistent call to stay alive, stay with yourself, stay with us. Also, your zine took my breath away. Sending so much love and celebration your way.
Happy birthday, D.L.! I'm so glad you're alive to live and to celebrate life well! Thanks for inviting us all to your virtual birthday party! p.s. very moving and tender 'zine. thx
Happiest Birthday DL! Welcome to the 40s club - a good time to stop giving a shit about the things that don't really matter ;) I salute you & your ongoing journey!
Happy birthday!!! My mom used to sing us to sleep in bed as babies with Jesus-movement era songs ("One Day, Jesus will Call My Name" etc) about waiting to die and go to heaven, and I still know the lyrics! Bad bad bad bad bad!
Cheers to being alive, to 40, to be being more joyful and more tender, to mushrooms, to wisdom & weirdness, to being more yourself, to midlife & the coming of the crone! ✨✨✨✨
Happy 40th! Reading this made me so happy for you and for me as another late diagnosed autistic person with chronic illness raised in high control religion! Just this morning I said out loud, 22 year old me would hate how much makeup I’m wearing. But 36 year old me gets to do whatever I want and she didn’t! She was trapped! The joy of getting free just keeps unfolding as the years go on. Some days I could just bubble over with the bliss of the future I’m living that I never imagined I would be allowed to have and be. Thanks for modeling the way.
D.L., I am a silent reader, never having the time or words to share here. But after reading this post, I had to get on and say a rousing Happy Birthday! and Thank you! You sharing your story is opening up spaces in me that have needed air for so long.
Happy, happy birthday. You are such a gift. Your persistence in exercising your voice in this space has been a persistent call to stay alive, stay with yourself, stay with us. Also, your zine took my breath away. Sending so much love and celebration your way.
Happy birthday, D.L.! I'm so glad you're alive to live and to celebrate life well! Thanks for inviting us all to your virtual birthday party! p.s. very moving and tender 'zine. thx
I am sitting here with a big smile after reading this post. Happy Birthday D.L.!!
Happy 40th Birthday!!! Thanks for spreading hope. 🙂
Happy 40th!!! What a beautiful and tender reflection. So very grateful for you.
Happy birthday! Thank you for sharing so vulnerably. Cheers to all of us mushrooms! 🍄
Happy Birthday, DL! I’m so glad you are here and what a gift to get a taste of your joy and hope today 💓🫶🏻
Oh, DL! I needed this so much!! Thank you. Happy Birthday. I am so thankful for you.
Happiest Birthday DL! Welcome to the 40s club - a good time to stop giving a shit about the things that don't really matter ;) I salute you & your ongoing journey!
happy 40th!!! with nary a Paul Rudd in sight, sadly (👀 that AI monstrosity omg)
you're the best, so grateful you're alive & to be part of our lil community here with you.
Happy birthday! Thank you for no longer being good and quiet. Here’s to many decades of living as who you are!
Happy birthday!!! My mom used to sing us to sleep in bed as babies with Jesus-movement era songs ("One Day, Jesus will Call My Name" etc) about waiting to die and go to heaven, and I still know the lyrics! Bad bad bad bad bad!
Happy birthday! We will celebrate being alive and here and present to experience it all!
I would like to beat the odds and be the odd, old auntie nobody knows what to think about at family events.
By the way, ummm, my same-breakfast includes mushrooms. Nervous haha — not sure what to feel about that.
Cheers to being alive, to 40, to be being more joyful and more tender, to mushrooms, to wisdom & weirdness, to being more yourself, to midlife & the coming of the crone! ✨✨✨✨