Okay, so some mornings I feel twice my age. The truth is, I never thought I’d even reach fifty. But I have and can look back with wonder at how in the world it has happened. Definitely a God thing.
Believe it or not, I can even remember not having a radio in the family car. My parents would sing when we went anywhere. (And that explains my infatuation with Rod Stewart’s Great American Songbook collection.) When I began school, little girls had to wear dresses to class. Even in the winter. Snowsuits, or, when older, corduroys under the skirts, had to suffice since no self-respecting young lady would be caught dead in slacks at school. Sometime about eighth grade, dress slacks were allowed and finally by high school, I learned about living in jeans.
I’ll bet you’ve read the e-mails about the good old days and all that has changed over the years. So have I. And I can remember my parents and their friends discussing how much life had altered over the years.
But then, I think of my grandmother. When my mom complained how her kids were getting old, GrammaDear (as she’s called) knew just the answer. “Your kids? What about my kids!” GrammaDear will be celebrating her hundredth birthday this summer.
So what does one do now that one is f-f-f-fifty? It’s just a number, I know, but sometimes it's just hard to get out. I find myself relating to the Roman god, Janus—whose two faces looked both forward and backward.
And I don’t like it.
For the most part, it has been a lovely ride but I’m not at my journey’s end—not yet. I could be very close or just halfway there like GrammaDear. Only God knows. So, I’m taking St. Paul’s advice. Looking forward and leaving the past behind me, I press on. Richly blessed already, I can’t wait to see what’s around the bend—and I’m betting there’s chocolate involved somewhere. My Abba is good like that.
The picture above is of the three members of the class of '74 at our school. Jackie Lowery and Patti Vail, you are the best! And for the record, we don't look fifty. Forty-five maybe, but not fifty.
Abundant lifelong blessings to all!
7 comments:
No, Jenny, you definitely don't look fifty. I'm surprised that this is *that* birthday!
May it be blessed and happy!
I want to be just like you when I'm fifty. (except for the whole classroom full of children thing)
You're fun, energetic, easy to be with. You're a great lady, Jenny. I am blessed to know you. I hope you had a wonderful birthday!
A lovely blog. Happy Birthday. I have you beat by over a dozen years.
Nope. No way. Uh-uh. Don't think so. Definitely not 50. Not on your life.
Hey Girlfriend. Haven't you heard? Fifty is the new thirty or something. Not sure what that makes me. :)
Glad you had a great one!
Thanks all for the kind words. Today I felt every bit of my age. I came home early and have only come out to catch up on the computer before going back to bed.
Margo, thanks girl. I appreciate *that*. :-)
Sabrina, be careful what you wish for.
Lena, no way!
Ane, I've seen the birth certificate. It's official. But I'm glad you don't believe it:-)
Jen, the new 30? Like Orange is the new Pink? Never looked good in orange and I'm glad to be through my 30's. The forties were great, though--mostly.
My new mantra is "It's just a number, it's just a number."
Happy birthday, Jenny. Don't think of yourself as 50, think of yourself as entering your 6th decade! LOL. And I can say that because I'm 50, too. So far it hasn't killed me, and I'll soon be 51. Have a blessed year.
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