Can I just take a moment to talk about aging? I turned the big 60 this summer, which is super weird. Mostly, it doesn’t bother me much, it’s just a number and it doesn’t define me. I’m not super happy with the aches and pains, extra weight, and all the sagging and bagging. It’s weird to think about how few years I have still in front of me, but I try not to think in those terms and just enjoy each day. Am I always successful? Not so much, but I try. Oh my God do I try. I try all the time… (I hope you sang that).
Yes, I hurt. I’ve worked in retail for the better part of forty years, and my feet and hips complain about it…loudly.
But you know, I’m not actually here to complain (believe it or not), I’m here to say how grateful I am.
I am grateful that, for the most part, my husband and I can shrug off most things that, at one time, would have been a fight.
I’m grateful for the ability to give way less F’s about way more things.
I’m grateful for the most amazing tribe of women I have ever had around me. The quality of friendship I have with these women is such a blessing every day. I have an amazing group of friends from ten years younger than myself, to ten years older. They are all very different but the one thing they all have in common is a confidence that can only come with age. We hold each other up as we’re trying to figure out what our new chapters mean and how to navigate them. There is no competition, only substantiating, sometimes commiserating, and maybe the occasional conspiring. And laughing. Lots of laughing. Sometimes inappropriately. Okay, often…
I’m grateful for my loving family, my dad, hubby, kids, and grandkids of course, but today I’m speaking about siblings, cousins, and Aunties. We’ve always been close but with age, we recognize that time doesn’t hold still for y’all and you gotta make the things happen. Some of my biggest heroes are my cousins, for so many different reasons.
It’s hard to lose your youth and feel like your body is betraying you because although it’s a clique, it’s so true; your spirit is still willing. But you know, I think I can honestly say, I would not go back.
What you can gain with age is perspective, the most amazing and fulfilling friendships you’ve ever had, and way fewer Fs. So many fewer Fs.
At least, that’s been my experience.
Blessings to you all!
