"After climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb." ~ Nelson Mandela
Today I turn 40. Seriously. Where the heck did 40 come from? What happened to all of those other birthdays? The last 20 or so are just a blur. So many candles blown out and wishes unanswered.
Brianna said to me Saturday "Mom, you know that hill you're going over on Monday...?" Too cute. Like there is an actual hill that I'm going over. Maybe there is. Perhaps I am passing a milestone in my life. But you know me too well to think I'm going down from this point on. Really? I'm just getting started...
Just what is 40? I remember as a kid thinking 30 was old. Really old. That would make 40 close to retirement age, right? I think I can speak for all of us that have made it this far that 40 just doesn't seem that old anymore. Maybe it's society's view on it. We're no longer represented by June Cleaver. We now have Carrie Bradshaw and friends. Gwen Stefani. Catherine Zeta Jones. Seems to me that 40 is the new 30.
40 is just another number. It's not an accomplishment. It's not a goal that I've worked hard to reach. So many people keep saying "It's all downhill from here now that you're 40." Oh, hell no! It doesn't define who I am, what I've done, or what I still have left to do. I haven't woken up from my deep sleep just to start rolling down a proverbial hill. If I have, it better be on a roller coaster. And a fast one at that!
So where does that leave me? Pretty much where I was yesterday. Not quite where I'll be tomorrow. Because I'll be climbing even higher on this hill I'm supposedly on. Looking around every turn for new adventures. Taking every possible memory out of every moment I'm given. Not waiting for life to give me what it has to offer but actively seeking out those opportunities. I'm more than just a number. I refuse to let it define me. I will be doing the defining, so 40 had better watch out... :)
Happy Birthday Michele. You're 40 and I'm 50 as of Saturday the 13th. I feel the same except for a few more aches and pains than I had at 40 but I'm fighting it all the way. It's all how you look at life. My mother will be 86 in Jan. and she still drives herself places and lives alone and cooks and bakes. I can only hope. Hope your day is special and your year full of great things.
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