As I continue to uphold the tradition of writing an annual birthday post—most of them snarky—this one won’t be. I’ve thought long and hard about whether or not I wanted to share this personal story, not because I’m afraid or embarrassed to do so, but because it requires a certain amount of vulnerability, something that’s always been a challenge for me. Vulnerability is not my strength. Just ask the people who know me well. The story I’m about to tell starts with God. And it’s inevitable that it will end there, too. When I cut back to part-time teaching last year with the intent to semi-retire (though I’ve hardly done…