Birthday calls for cautious optimism

The big two-five.

Today marks a quarter century that Matthew Weaver has been on the planet. And the world, I think modestly, is all the better for it.

Truth be told, I'm not entirely sure how to take turning 25. I had a rougher time turning 20 (there's something about figuring out you're a score) and I anticipate some rocky emotional terrain upon turning 30.

Maybe it's watching that first number slide up another notch that gets to me, once a decade.

But upon reaching my 25th year, I feel pretty natural, as though it's the next logical step after a year of being a 24-year-old.

I think my lot in life is pretty much what one should realistically expect to possess at this age, with a good job (hiya, boss!), a steady income and still enough youthful vigor to imagine that one day I might be capable of wooing Katie Holmes away from Tom Cruise.

I mean, look at Tom. And then check out MY dapper mug shot. 'Nough said. Katie, I'll be expecting your call.

While we wait, though, I guess entering the Land of 25 calls for cautious optimism. Things are better than they could be, although there's always room for improvement, I imagine even in Tom Cruise's world.

In long telephone conversations with my friends — many of whom are of the same age and scattered across the nation, although I think, if given our druthers, most of us would vastly prefer ending up in one location so we can socialize on a fairly regular basis and avoid the hazards of phone ear — it sounds like we are all kind of in the same boat: just starting out, putting several years of experience under our belts and wondering about/hoping for the future.

Is this what I'm doing for the rest of my life? (Translation: When do I start making my millions?)

When will I meet the person with whom I'm spending the rest of my life? (Translation: If Katie is busy, how do I get in touch with "Sin City" star Jessica Alba?)

How mature do I really have to act? (Translation: If watching cartoons at home in my underwear is wrong, I never want to be right.)

What lies ahead? (Translation: Is it scary? Because if it's scary, I have an appointment at home under the covers on my bed.)

But a lot of those questions were just as relevant, it seems, when I turned 20, 19, 24 and might still be when I turn 26, 30, 45 or 90, albeit with a few more years of experience and, hopefully, a couple more answers, which will inevitably lead to some different questions.

I know I'm blessed with the things I have, at a time when some people have nothing at all or even less. And I'm ready and willing to face the future, whatever it may hold. My expectations are realistic.

Hmm. Katie seems to be taking her own sweet time in getting back to me …

Matthew Weaver is the now 25-year-old business and agriculture reporter for the Columbia Basin Herald. These days, his cartoon of choice is "Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends," although he still wants to be a Ghostbuster when he grows up.