A man's age is something impressive, it sums up his life: maturity reached slowly and against many obstacles, illnesses cured, griefs and despairs overcome, and unconscious risks taken; maturity formed through so many desires, hopes, regrets, forgotten things, loves. A man's age represents a fine cargo of experiences and memories. ~Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
There's a song we used to sing in church when I was growing up. "Count your blessings, name them one by one..." I thought I'd count some of the ways that it's actually really neat to be middle-aged.
- My self-esteem is no longer based on what the other kids think of me.
- After many, many years together, I no longer am concerned that my husband will stop loving me.
- I actually like having an "empty nest" because the room formerly known as my daughter's bedroom is now my super cool office.
- I can try all sorts of new things, give them up, and move on to other things without being thought of as a flighty young woman, but instead as an adventurous older woman.
- I like me more now than I ever did when I was a young woman.
- I get to live vicariously through the adventures of my adult daughter, and also share my own adventures with my mother.
- I really get how much my parents did for us kids.
- I'm not afraid to reach out to other people and make friends.
- I'm not afraid to speak up for myself.
- Men seem to just keep getting better looking with age - my husband included. ;)
- I can re-read a book or re-watch a movie and probably enjoy it as if I've never seen it before because I probably won't remember half of it.
- I realize that life is too short for bad literature, obnoxious people, stupid guidelines, or saying no to dessert.
- Okay, I cry at sad movies...and TV shows....and sometimes commercials. So what?
- It's really fun to start working on checking off bucket list items.
- I like being the middle aged woman who just started running because it makes me feel like one of those inspirational women you'd read about in a magazine.
I have to agree with David Coverdale of Whitesnake. These truly are "the best years of my life."
3 comments:
I'm much older than you, but I can tell you what's great about being 70+ years:
1. My kids and others finally recognize maybe I DID know what I was talking about when I gave them advice.
2. People who lie and say "I would never have guessed you to be that age - I maybe would have guessed mid to late 50s." :-)
3. I am a kinder and gentler 70+ year old than I was a 20 or 40+ year old. I realize that many things in life just aren't important enough to throw a fit over.
4. On the other hand, I am no longer afraid to stick up for myself and what I believe. I 'know' who I am and I rather like myself.
5. It's frustrating that the body won't work the way it used to, but in exchange, I am forced to think and act on a more spiritual level.
There are more - but enough is enough.(something else you learn as you age) :-)
Awesome! Looks like life really does begin at 40 and I have lots more to learn and look forward to. Thanks, Pat.
I kind of like my life as well. I have a husband that sticks by me, even though I'm not the easiest person to live with. I have a son who is sweet and well-behaved (mostly), and a stable income that pays the bills and leaves a little for my sweet tea addiction. Can't complain a whole lot.
Thanks Judy for helping me to count my blessings.
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