The Year of 45

I was listening to a podcast the other day…the lady on there was in shock she was turning fifty this year. I kind of giggled at her, until I realized that I was going to be….45….how…..in…..the world did that happen?

To make this even better..I would like you to imagine (like me) that you are the youngest, the baby of the family if you will…so I also…get to hear “I can’t believe my baby is 45! This means I’m ancient!” Or my four sisters telling me that I can’t possibly be that old…like I made it up or something? Or forgot how to count!! Yes!!! I really am that ancient…the rest of you are about to die!!! No, I don’t really say that of course 😬.

I guess the hardest part about my age is where I thought I would be. In my heart I feel young…but there are days…that even when I HEAR a baby cry…I just want to sit down and take a nap.

I’m in better shape than my 30s (considering I had a baby then doesn’t really set the bar high) I thought I would be thinner (with all my dove chocolates I can’t imagine why that isn’t a reality). I thought I would be taller…seriously…I appear to be shrinking. I thought there would be less neck wrinkles (I thought that was in your 60s). I definitely see the importance of an amazing hairstylist….and one that isn’t afraid to tell you your eyebrows need “serious help” this week.

I thought there would be more sitting….and more travel….but I’m happy to say that there seems to be more and more.

I also thought there would be less plants…in a year…I’ve accumulated more than 10…I’m not sure what that says…but I kept saying “I’m turning into my mother.” Over and over again.

I didn’t think that I would have this much coffee….I now understand all those cups my Dad would have every day…makes perfect sense now. Also…after raising three teens…I understand the smoking…I haven’t done that yet…but alcohol…might be a safer bet.

I definitely thought there would be less hamsters and guinea pigs…the dog isn’t surprising but the piggies for sure are.

I didn’t think I would be Calling my children to look at sunsets and deer running across our lawn.::so glad that she’s not at the age where she says “mmhmm” and then runs away.

I also thought I would be more of a serious shopper. Now I’ve become a pick up groceries, pick up Target, Amazon warrior and drive thru Starbucks kind of girl. The once social butterfly…has become a hermit…who secretly can’t wait to put on flannel pants and drink some coffee. I thought that when I traveled I would want to go into all the shops…but no….restaurants are my thing…and when is dessert, is my song! Who even am I?

I’ve reached the age where I no longer care what you think of me…and yes young man, on your trip back from Tucson to KC in February…I will ask you where your pants are because that’s what your mother would have asked you…so where are they and they better be in your bag!!!! (I really did do that…but it was five degrees and he was wearing shorts and he was like 20…and I knew his Mom would want me to!) what if our plane broke down? What then!

I definitely thought there would be no clowning….because….why….why is there so much clowning…but you don’t get to pick what your chosen to do…that’s just what happens!

I’ve been married twice….mother twice…a stepmother twice…and all the other experiences of life…once….we are all given a time.::and however long or short or ancient it is…live your best life.

Eat the chocolates, go visit the places, drink the coffee, show your kids the world, be kind to everyone…even the meanies….and above all else…tell the truth…don’t spread lies…and be the one that everyone says “I never heard them speak an ill word about anyone!” Wouldn’t that be amazing!