Entry Thirty Four: My 21st birthday

Last thursday was my official birthday. I am now 21 - and in awe. I didn't do much, but just go to work, come home and morph into a couch potato. Now don't just assume that I don't enjoy celebrating my birthday (even though that is slightly true - was more true a few years ago), my party was just set for the following day instead. I decided to throw a bonfire bash at Huntington Beach.

My party was yesterday and it completely obliterated all thoughts and precursors about its overall outcome.  There were quiet a few scenarios which I was dreadfully fearful of actually happening. I wondered if someone might invite their parents, assuming mine might be there as well. Now it sounds funny, but I was honestly not sure, because I called it an "open event" and said "the more the merrier". Although I see now, that was unlikely to actually happen.

Another worry, which happens often at semi-large events is people becoming reserved, isolated, and awkward. However, to my surprise this didn't happen. Everyone blended well, made some new friendships and kindled those which already existed - just overwhelms my heart with joy! I hope to see these faces all again doing something together in fellowship soon!

But enough of these past worries, I have to mention some of the key points (divine moments) which made this party so unique and special. Well firstly, everyone I hoped would show up actually showed up! And as I said earlier there were many different people from different backgrounds all getting along well. Secondly, we decided to take a walk down the beach and when we did we ran into a small group of people who openly just greeted us, we talked for a few moments then moved on. Which is unique in our current world. I believe it will change though, maybe more of these instances will start to occur!

Lastly, the game of Red Rover. When we reached the pier underneath we found someone completely covered in a black stage suit. He was running around hiding behind the support beams like Peter Pan shadow or something, in a jokingly manner messing with us, and at first none of us even knew what "it" was. After chasing him for a few moments he retreated out from under the pier and over to his friends sitting about fifty feet on a sand dune. When we saw that our group moved out from under the pier and took one or two steps towards the other group.

Like wise the people on the dune got up and walked down a about ten or fifteen feet. It was so amazing watching both groups witness each other, ours and theres, from an outside perspective it was like watching two African tribes meet for the first time. We walked up towards them trying to get there friend to come back, chased him once or twice, then one or two of them came and chased us. Keep in each group is like thirty feet away from each other.

The climax was when both sides were about to leave and I shouted RED ROVER. It was almost magical, everyone in our group looked at each other and then lined up. But what came next was just totally mind imploding, there group did too! Can you picture that, two groups of about 15 people not even able to hear each others voices randomly running into each other at the pier and playing Red Rover, with no talking and absolutely no names.

 "Red Rover Red Rover send somebody over" we all cried. The whole thing lasted about five minutes before they began whispering and then charged us. Among the chaos we all shook hands and greeted each other, gave out hugs - then went out separate ways. It happened so fast, the greeting the hugs, the goodbyes, but when I saw that it was like getting a glimpse of peace of earth. It lead me to some great questions and some... concerns which I have been contemplating.

Over all, I could not have asked for anything more special. I prayed that God would show me his wonder, and I asked that my beach party would be for him, for building some sort of community and having some level of good honest fellowship. And I specifically prayed that my group would be able to meet strangers and have fun with them, specifically like what happened at the first bonfire meeting. Yet he took is a step further and gave me something even more. I hope those moments we spent with the other group by the pier will never be forgotten.

Its strange getting old, each time another year is added, or rather taken away from you life span, you look back and reflect once again on all the many, many, many... things which you have experienced thus far.   In doing so the Novel which is my life becomes more and more clear,  I have came across some magnificent conclusions. This year its quiet obvious that everything is finally beginning to make sense.