Skip to main content

55+

I pounded on the bedroom sliding glass door, "Hey, you!  Watch this!"  I did it again until I got the response, "What?" Up to the grassy area I went, and with almost perfect precision I executed my 2nd round off.  My landing was a tiny more wobbly than when I did the first one out of sight at the other end of the yard.  "What are you thinking?" my husband called from the room, "You could kill yourself doing those things, don't you know your age? You are supposed to be wiser not foolish. . . "  I chuckled to myself, yea, I can still do a cartwheel or round off, after all these years, it's gotta be my strong core!. . .

I have had a good week, not as depressing as I thought.  It is somewhat odd to find yourself at the start of your senior years.  My oldest brother, of course, reminded me of the fact that I am officially now a full fledged member of AARP. Yet, I actually  feel more empowered with life.  I appreciate the goodness that God has granted me these years.  The young girl of seventeen in these photos had no idea of the adventure life had in store for her.  In fact, she would have been overwhelmed and may have never done the things she accomplished . . . just like not trying to flip a cartwheel at age 55!

Celebrations have been a plenty!  I am thankful for my girlfriends who plan surprises and dinners for me.  What a treat to see "Mrs. Unruh's show" up at Mount Baldy!  There's such joy in talking with one another, laughing together, and enjoying company. Waking up to my husband's musical card of the Star Wars theme, "a long, long time ago. . . " started my day with my first smile.  Coworkers who in their kindness took time to sing me "Happy Birthday," serve me Angel Food Cake and strawberries, along with giving cards and a beautiful planter.  It all seemed to give me even extra confidence in meeting with my patients that day.  

Coming home was the best surprise of all!  I saw his car parked out in front, as I drove into our garage.  "Hello-o-o!" I called as I came through the door.  Walking out to the kitchen, there was my son and his love, already busy at work making a birthday dinner for me!  I couldn't ask for more joy, my heart seemed ready to burst!  I was presented with a lovely yellow peach rose plant, a card of love, and a strawberry cheesecake to top it all off!  It doesn't get better than this . . . 

So, what have I learned being 55 that the girl of 17 never knew?  The joy of life is in the journey.  I was given life by a good God, who brought me here for such a time as this.  I was created to praise Him and glorify Him, that's all.  He has made me relational and given me family, along with wonderful friends to travel my days with me.  He has provided grace and mercy to give me endurance when the pain, sorrow, and disappointment of life is too much to bear.  But He brings us birthdays to remind us of our beginning.  I am thankful for the family I was born into.  Mom and Daddio were the best.  My brothers have always been there with me, we haven't ever forsaken one another.  I have a blessed family now, a husband who loves me forever, who has faithfully been there by my side, through all my antics, crises, and moods. I have a son, one who has a heart to give and love.  I have even more extended family that enrich my life beyond the smaller boundaries of family at age 17.  Yes, goodness and mercy have followed me throughout . . . and I am looking forward to the next 55 years ahead!
  
"Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever."
(Psalm 23:6)

     

Comments

  1. AnonymousMay 7, 2012 at 1:58 AM

    Seriously:you're getting tattoos, now!
    Concerned Senior Citizen, me.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Hummingbird Lessons

My eye caught a small round mound stuck upon a branch.  Looking closer, I found indeed it was the start of a hummingbird nest.  And yes, I now had the mother hummingbird buzzing around my head, reminding me that I was in her space.  I have been able to witness at least 3 other hummingbird families come to life, and I was always mesmerized by these "tiny vulnerabilities" becoming resilient birds in only a matter of five to six weeks.  The nest was right out my patio door, and I had the best view to watch them daily.  I was smiling. I had a hunch that babies would be coming soon, because our hummingbird feeder had been especially sucked dry only a few weeks earlier.  One day I found at least 4 hummingbirds at one time feeding, which is highly unusual because most times they come one at a time and don't seem to want to share the space.  If they would share, it was two only at a the bar and of course on opposite sides.  I was filling that feeder at le...
Post a Comment
Read more

Awe

  The thunder resounded with a loud clap! Certainly, it came as an afternoon surprise.  The expected rain seemed less than what was forecasted, but with the thunder came a bucket of heavy raindrops splashing against my kitchen window.  I wanted to take it all in, the fresh aroma of falling rain and the beauty of water drops hitting the leaves of my nasturtium and petunia hanging baskets.  Unfortunately, the rain cloud quickly fled, running away into the eastern sky.  But then the sun made its way onto the scene, and I was drawn to a thick band of rainbow colors shining up at me.  The western sky was magnificently orange, completely bound up tight with that solo color scheme.  I went outside to catch it all before it would disappear.  Creation again was causing me to pause in awe and wonder. . . Awe is that reverential wonder, that even includes fear and respect.  It is only a 3 letter word, but it takes bigger and grander words to define it....
Post a Comment
Read more

Complicated Relationship Living

Today is Mom's birthday.  If she were here,  we would be celebrating her 109th day of life.  I can't believe that it has already been 20 years since she said goodbye to earthly living.   I was much too young back then, at the age of 45, to lose my Mom.  You always long for at least one more conversation to ask the questions you didn't get a chance to do.  You often wished you would have had more talks, especially as you find yourself on a different side of life, other wise known as the senior years. As parents we always desire to keep our family ties together and close, but it doesn't always work out that way.  When our  parents were still living, and as they grew more elderly, they of course were the bond that brought my brothers and myself together.  As adult children, we each had a unique relationship to them, but I am realizing now, that we didn't necessarily have a tie with one another.  We were children of the nuclear family, ...
Post a Comment
Read more