Every year it is the same. There is some chip in my brain programmed to
go off when my eyes open on May the twenty-third. I automatically begin to sing “Happy
Birthday to me”. This morning I had an audience including a bright-eyed
eighteen month old curly headed boy, a dozing husband with his coffee and a
bustling young mother getting ready to leave with the baby at 6:30 a.m. For the baby’s sake of course, I had to
repeat the song over and over just to see him clap at the end. Now all is quiet
and reflection begins. It’s really the
big six-O! Somewhere in the night my
identity has been stolen and here in this chair is a new person! Early on in life you look forward to sixteen
and twenty-one. Thirty is
overwhelming. Forty just passes by. Fifty seems to be the year of
acknowledgement- I had 50 sheep in the yard and was taken camping and canoeing
and everyone came out of the woodwork to wish me well. Sixty?
All I want is a simple, stress-free, weekend. The party girl doesn't want to party- she
wants to enjoy whatever the moments bring and not be responsible to accomplish
a thing! Last night one of my daughter’s
families called to wish me a happy last day of fifty. My granddaughter said, “You are not old
grandma. You will always be my young
blonde grandma.” Her words inspired the
following list I've created today to maintain my identity and send the thief
running!
Hair
dye
Respond
to healthy living tips
Laugh
daily
Lighten
Up about Everything!
Encourage
Others
Love the Lord with all my heart
Of course there are volumes of
how to books available- just this morning the book “Younger Next Year” was
recommended to me. An avid reader I will
probably look for a copy. But the truth
is that I do love birthdays. I love that
I was created and then blessed with a great family. Surrounded by friends I have never been alone
even on my worst day. A spoiled rotten
brat who has new dreams and visions brewing in my future! Watch out world- I am not fading- just
switching into a new gear and truly thankful for life…………..