Anyway, the closer my BIG day came the more determined I was not to resent it. I wanted to be proud of being 40. I wanted to OWN 40 without feeling 40. Believe it or not, I did a pretty good job. By the time my birthday rolled around I had turned my pending pity party completely around. Well, almost completely ... That morning the pity party tried rearing it's ugly head. That was until my sweet girls sang Happy Birthday to me. Then I cried for an entirely different reason all together. I cried because I realized all the wishes I've been making since I was a little girl had finally come true. All three of them were sitting in front of me. My husband and my two girls. Honestly, I can't recall wanting or dreaming of being anything else in my life but a wife and a mom. I also can't think of anything I've worked or prayed more for. The people sitting in front of me made every one of those 39 now 40 years worth living and being proud of.
After I pulled myself together from the waterfall of sappy happy tears, I began thinking of all the other wonderful blessings I've experienced during my 40 years of life. I've lived more places than I can remember and as a result I've made wonderful friends. I graduated from High School. I graduated from college. I began my master's degree. I've been in love more times than I'd like to admit. I met and married the man of my dreams. I've been recognized by every employer I've ever worked for my strong work ethic. I've even been recognized by the Pentagon for my hard work. I've visited 20 different countries and lived in 2 maybe 3 of them. I've visited 32 states. I've lived in 8 of them. I've felt the lowest of lows and the highest of highs. (Legal ones that is.) I've given and received forgiveness. I found my faith in God and I've clung to him in some very dark times. I've witnessed miracles more times than I can count. I even get to hug and kiss two of them every day.
Gosh darn it! I'm proud of my 40 years! I wouldn't change a single one of them or trade being 40 for any other younger age. Notice, I'm sticking with age here not body. Anyway, for those of you with a BIG birthday looming in your near future. Don't dread it. Celebrate it and YOU! Because nobody else in this world has done the things you have in those years. Your life is unique and beautiful just like you!
In case you were wondering, my birthday ended on a high note too. Our good friends had 4 extra free tickets to see the Giants play. I was able to take my husband, my dad and my grandfather as my dates. The Giants won in the bottom of the 9th. Now that's a pretty special way to celebrate your 40th birthday don't you think?
5 comments:
I'm of the mindset that 40 is the new 30, which was the new 20... so we're still good! ;)
Its funny to think how OLD I thought 40 was when I was young... but being 40, I don't feel like that senior citizen I thought 40 looked like :) Well, some days I feel like it ;)
Happy belated birthday!!!
I remember walking down the street at about Yaya's age holding my 35 year old mothers hand and thinking how old she was. Kind of hit me in the gut when I turned 35 :) Don't even think of it now that I am on the cusp of 67. Life is a miracle and what we do with it is up to us. You are so right that what you have accomplished in your 40 years, many of us only dream of. Now, go hug and kiss those three people God has gifted you with and enjoy this 40th year to the hilt!!
Ah, my friend.... I'm right there with you! I turn 40 later this year-- ACK!!! Love your great attitude!
I think I may be the only person ever to love turning 40! COngrats my firend -0 you will see, there is nothing like the confidence of being a 40 year old
Happy, Happy Birthday (belated) Frizzy!!! I have heard that the 40's are wonderful!
What a wonderful 40 years the Lord has blessed you with!
Renata:)
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