Today is my 55th birthday.
More than Cake!
Don’t get me wrong… this girl loves cake! And like New Year’s resolutions, birthdays are also an opportunity to take a few moments out of your day to count your blessings as well as contemplate what you might do differently in the coming year.
I’m not sure why, but this birthday has brought with it lots of emotion. Maybe it’s seeing my children become older and more independent. Maybe it’s seeing friends, parents, aunts and uncles age, too. Maybe it’s thinking about “retirement”, whatever that means! I do know that I’m grateful, for sure, for so many things. Family, health, friends, love.
Pros
I guess as you age, you try to apply what you’ve learned to make better decisions. I feel older and wiser in some ways. I appreciate that relationships and experiences mean so much. I am grateful for conversations and time I get to spend with people I care about. I’m more selective with how I spend my time and with whom I spend my time. I know that what brings me joy is making a difference, and that could be in some very small, subtle way or in something that feels more significant.
Cons
I try not to dwell on the past and I wouldn’t want to change it. I know that life experiences make us who we are and that we all experience sadness, heartbreak and loss. Sometimes loss is the death of a loved one and sometimes it’s a broken relationship. Both are hard and I have surely grieved for both types of loss. And I have learned from them.
Faith
I invest and lean more in my faith as I age. I’m grateful for that and strive to do better. It’s a great comfort as we face our own mortality. I recently saw something posted on Facebook that I’ve seen before and it’s a great reminder to me:
So while we wait in line…
Make moments count.
Make priorities.
Make the time.
Make your gifts known.
Make a nobody feel like a somebody.
Make your voice heard.
Make the small things big.
Make someone smile.
Make the change.
Make love.
Make up.
Make peace.
Make sure to tell your people they are loved.
Make sure to have no regrets.
Make sure you are ready.
Celebrate this Life!
As I contemplate my 55th year on this earth (or is it 56th?!), I hope to be better… a better wife, mom, daughter, sister, friend and teammate. I hope to make a difference. I hope to laugh, celebrate, comfort and support. Every birthday is a gift!
For more articles from The Two Dandelions, click on the following links:
Why we write what we write. . .
Colette Miller’s Angels Wings Bring Joy
Aging Parent + Distance = Challenge
