The $3 lip balm

Abraham Lincoln once said, "In the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years."

My 30th birthday has been threatening to push me over the hill since I celebrated 29.

Memories of life in my early 20s float through my mind on roughly a daily basis. I smile and then think, OMG I'm almost t-h-i-r-t-y.

I went to South Beach in Miami one year for spring break. There were six of us -- four girls and two guys -- in one hotel room. It -- as I recall -- smelled like puke and body odor when we arrived. At the end of our one-week stay, it almost certainly didn't smell any better.

We had one mattress lying on the floor, where the two guys slept. The girls took turns sleeping on the box springs and second bed. The table was holding up an amazing amount of bottles -- not all the same brand, color or size -- and the bathroom looked as if six guys occupied the room.

After a night at the clubs, my friend realized she lost her wallet containing identification, social security card and all her money. She was forced to call home and ask her mother to send her passport and some money to finish out the trip and get home.

I will never again drink tequila.

The trip was awesome.

It is those types of journeys I wouldn't attempt now. Maybe it is because I am older; have grown up; have responsibilities such as bills and a full-time job.

My 30th birthday looming doesn't dishearten me because I no longer have the time or energy to "shake what my mama gave me" at the clubs all night long.

I have been forced to think about:

* Wrinkles, lines, age-spots and crows feet

* Gray hair

* Should I start listening to age appropriate music? (I currently listen to hip-hop and classic rock)

* and most important -- gravity

I have begun purchasing merchandise promising to stop the signs of aging. I recently paid $3 for lip balm because the package declared the product would visibly reduce deep and fine lines, improve lip health and vitality.

Please!

If Lincoln is correct and it really is the life in your years that count, $3 lip balm does not matter.

It will be the memories I have collected and the ones to be made in the future.