Countdown to the Big FOUR-OH! by Deanna
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Are You Turning 40 and Looking for a Profound Life Change?
Have a great day!
The day is quickly approaching that I will reach the ever dreaded milestone of turning 40. Fifty-five days to be exact. It happens to coincide with Christmas, so you holiday shoppers take note!
It’s odd, in my mind I still feel 25. I often wonder how ridiculous I must come across to people. You’ll find me wearing low-rise jeans and t-shirts as opposed to a flowery polyester ensemble that some of my slightly older counterparts wear. Is it time for me to start acting more mature or does the old adage hold true that you’re only as old as you feel?
I recently started a new job at a local Antique Mall. As I stroll through the isles the memories come flooding back with the recognition of relics from my past. Maybe ‘relic’ is the wrong choice of word for this post, but we’ll go with it. I see my mom’s white china with the painted gold edges, the metal ‘Happy Day’s’ lunch box I coveted as 3rd grader and the delicate golden watch that my grandmother wore. If I let myself dwell on it, I become homesick for my youth.
One thing is for certain; I never imagined my life coming together as it has. My oldest daughter was married this past June, so I have acquired a son-in-law. That makes me a mother-in-law. Why do those words make the hair on the back of my neck stand at attention? There’s also a very real possibility that I could be a Grandma, Nana or Memaw in the next few years. But WAIT! I’m still raising two teen-age daughters, and we can’t forget about our little surprise that arrived in September of 2005. A two year old little boy that some days really defines my age. Where does all that energy come from anyway?! Better still, where did all my energy go?
Sometimes I look in the mirror and grapple with the image staring back at me. All the signs are there. The fine lines appearing around my eyes and the silvery strands trying to overtake my dark hair. We won’t even get into that 1/2 inch long stray hair that seemingly appears on your neck overnight! For the most part, I’ve come to grips with turning 40. There are those occasional days when the toddler has gotten the best of me and I resemble something that has been hit by a large truck, but I believe he is one of the many things that keep me feeling young.
Getting here has been quite a journey. I relished my youth, having mom and dad for love and security. In a hurry to get out and do my own thing, I found myself married and starting a family. I realize now that I was living my life as if nothing would ever change. Now my oldest is working on starting her own family and doing her own thing. Everything in between has become a blur of bittersweet memories. I plan to pay closer attention and embrace the next 40 years.
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