Today is my 60th birthday and I have a lot of thoughts about this BIG birthday. This isn't my normal post but today evoked so many emotions in me that I just felt the need to write them down.
I've never been bothered by birthdays. They came. The numbers progressed. Birthdays just happened. But this year was different. I am now 60 years old. I really can't be considered even middle aged. Nope...I'm getting up there in years.
Kind and thoughtful friends and family have given the usual lines such as, "You are only as old as you feel." And, "...age is just a number" but you know what? In reality, I AM older than I feel and age IS a number and my number this year is 60! As well meaning as these phrases may have been offered, I just haven't been able to shake the number. My grandmother, who I loved dearly, was already 60 when I was born so I always thought she was old. I'm NOT middle aged because let's be realistic here! Even though I plan to live beyond 100 years, I highly doubt I'll make it to 120 which would still allow me to consider myself middle aged.
And this past year I've had several physical and health concerns that are not going to get better with "a spoon full of sugar." Nope! They are signs of growing older.
All of this has really gotten me...yes I'll admit it...depressed. Silly or not, this NUMBER has affected me and how I feel.
NOW, before you stop reading (if you've read this far even) and think that I'm all gloom, doom and on death's doorstep, I must say that I've had a wee bit of an epiphany. It actually came from my Aunt who sent me a birthday card and wrote, "consider 60 as the next exciting chapter in your life." Now THAT was positive inspiration. No berating or negating the number. However, it certainly is a new chapter that I've not experienced.
And do you want to know something? It IS going to be a new chapter. This past week the Mister and I made an offer on a 5 acre, century old farmhouse and barn and beautiful piece of property in the country and the offer was accepted. We purchased our retirement home and with it, a dream of mine is going to come true. I'll have my very own little homestead with my horses in the barn and all of the critters I can afford to keep.
So I'll end today's little epistle on a positive note about turning 60. I didn't have a party. There were no balloons or birthday cake. But what there is is an adventure to come. I move a lot slower than I once did. I do use a cane from time to time. I can't ride my horse like a young person or chase her in play. BUT, I can look forward to and enjoy all of the dreams I've had my entire life of living in the country on my own little farm. Having as big of a garden as I can manage. Enjoying my home and my critters.
Yep! Life is going to be ok...60 or not. Everything is going to be ok.
Until next time,
Cheers!
Jennifer
