Today is my birthday, yeah me! I am 57. I have lived over half a century. Yikes, that makes me feel old. But what is old? Old is what we make of it.
When I turned 50, I thought my life was almost over. My age had never bothered me until that dreaded day. I woke up in a funk. My family asked me what I wanted for my birthday and I said nothing and I did not want to go out and celebrate. If the truth was known, I wanted to stay in bed all day lying in the fetal position with the curtains drawn. And I did not tell anyone it was my birthday.
A precious friend found out it was my birthday and let it be known. It was a co-op day and the families bought me a beautiful bouquet from edible arrangements that included chocolate covered strawberries and they also bought a cake for everyone to enjoy. I was not happy even thought chocolate covered strawberries are my favorite and the kids enjoyed the cake. I was in a funk because I was 50.
That night my family got take out from Olive Garden, another favorite. We feasted in my honor and I was still in a funk in spite of the kindness my family showed.
My “pity party” went on for a few days and then I went to staff prayer. Everyone on the church staff wished me a “Happy Birthday”. I was gracious, but not happy. I mentioned to a couple of the ladies who were over 50 that I was having a hard time and they put me in my place quickly. They were sweet, yet told me that I did not want the alternative to being 50 and that being in your 50’s is freeing (which it is), that it is their best decade and that the best is yet to come. Between my friends and God, I began to get with the program and slowly began to embrace my 50’s. I stopped listening to what society tells us about aging and started living my life to the fullest.
Yes, sometimes I get tired, my hair is graying, I have a crows feet and laugh lines and I can’t eat the way I used to. Today I now know who I am and I no longer live to please others. I have wisdom and experience that can help others. And most importantly, I know who I am in Christ! I am loved by the creator of the universe, am free from sin, blessed and highly favored, and I have the mind of Christ!!!
I have been married almost 30 years to an amazing man, have two wonderful adult children, and finally have the time to write (a desire God placed in my heart when I was in 5th grade). Life is good!
God is the one who planned the aging process. It is part of the life. We all have a choice. We can embrace God’s plan for our lives or we can fight it.
- Psalms 92:12-14 “The righteous will flourish, like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still bear fruit in our old age, they will stay fresh and green.”
- Psalms 103: 2-5 “Praise the Lord, oh my soul and forget not all his benefits-who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagles”.
I have chosen to embrace my age and am looking forward to what lies ahead. I will bear fruit, my youth is renewed. In the words of my precious friends, “THE BEST IS YET TO COME!!!!”
from Merchant of Venice ~ William Shakespeare
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This is so encouraging, Pat. My birthday is approaching, and while I am not yet in my fifties, I am already feeling lost and ambivalent about growing older. It is nice to see some honest perspective here. Thank you!
Oh, and Happy Birthday!! 🙂
It makes me happy to know that I encouraged you. I don’t know why we women place so much emphasis on “growing old.” I guess it’s the fact that so many women are in competition with each other and aren’t comfortable in their own skin.
And you welcome for the birthday greeting.