mussel-like, she turns 33

A student recently drew a diagram to explain his medication for bipolar disorder. There was a middle line for normal and a sine wave alternating between elation and despair above and below it. He explained that his medication made both the highs and the lows less severe. I think birthdays do exactly the opposite. Joys and gratitude soar, self-pity and moping melancholy drop. I celebrated my 33rd birthday on Wednesday, and experienced all the requisite tears and laughter. It's as if any emotional shell that you normally keep around your heart is torn away for a day, leaving you exposed and vulnerable... a mushy shellfish. A garden slug. Oi!