When I was 15 years old, my dad spent two weeks walking around the house singing, "Life begins for me...I'm 40 Now." I thought he was weird. And old. Now, as I get comfortable in my early 40's and watch my friends hit that magic number, I realize he might not have been as ancient as I thought at the time. Perspective is a wonderful thing.
I'm not full of wise and wonderful sayings about dealing with turning forty. I don't have any advice. In fact, I'm not particularly good at it myself. Who likes getting older? But really, in the end, I don't know what difference it makes. People who love me are going to love me whether I'm 21 or 41, and people who hate me, well, I guess it gives them more ammunition.
Topping forty does change your perspective. When I go out in public, I worry more about having clean hands and teeth than whether or not I have makeup on (I don't really think it took me forty years to figure that one out, but almost.) I have finally realized that no tan in my 20's and 30's is worth what it does to my skin in my 40's. (Unfortunately, I realized that one a little late.) I don't see value in large breasts, excess makeup, high heels, or men who value these "attributes" in women. And in my 40's, I have realized that I do have control over what I do and when, who I see, how much I work and play, and everything else that makes my life my own.
My very, very special friend Gena celebrates that landmark birthday tomorrow, on March 28,
2008. I'm proud to say she is handling the occation with more grace and wisdom than I did. But of course, if I had had a best friend to go first, I'm sure it would have been easier for me. All joking aside, I love her and wish her the best birthday ever. Life is good. And better now that we know what's up. Watch out world, for women in their forties.
I'm not full of wise and wonderful sayings about dealing with turning forty. I don't have any advice. In fact, I'm not particularly good at it myself. Who likes getting older? But really, in the end, I don't know what difference it makes. People who love me are going to love me whether I'm 21 or 41, and people who hate me, well, I guess it gives them more ammunition.
Topping forty does change your perspective. When I go out in public, I worry more about having clean hands and teeth than whether or not I have makeup on (I don't really think it took me forty years to figure that one out, but almost.) I have finally realized that no tan in my 20's and 30's is worth what it does to my skin in my 40's. (Unfortunately, I realized that one a little late.) I don't see value in large breasts, excess makeup, high heels, or men who value these "attributes" in women. And in my 40's, I have realized that I do have control over what I do and when, who I see, how much I work and play, and everything else that makes my life my own.
My very, very special friend Gena celebrates that landmark birthday tomorrow, on March 28,
No comments:
Post a Comment