Loving all the seasons of life, and doing OK.
This year my birthday was one of those that was divisible by 10. I am not going to say, "Where did the time go", because in contemplation, I know where it went.
I didn't notice it going by so fast when I was raising four loving children, nor did I notice it as I accumulated lifelong friends. I didn't notice it when working in my gardens because every summer I would plan what to do the next year. I didn't see it when my children reached all the milestones in their lives because I was always so proud. I didn't notice it when I went on vacations and had wonderful adventures and made memories. I didn't notice many things, because I was living life.
However, I did notice it when I held my first grandchild in my arms and knew that part of me will continue on for generations. Time tapped on my shoulder again when I retired and I missed people who I had come to see everyday and loved being part of their lives. I also missed purpose, but then I reinvented myself and found joy.
I am more mellow now, life is not as busy, but still interesting. I can walk six miles without breaking a sweat (on cool days), put in large gardens that fill my soul, and hold my grandchildren close. I always look forward and attempt to ignore the negativity that surrounds me. I try never to say no, although fear now creeps in.
I embrace my age as I have lived longer than many, but gosh darn it, I wasn't done being young.
We all get mellow( generally) when we are older me thinks xxxx
ReplyDeleteMe thinks also.
ReplyDeleteJohn, your blog also gives me joy.
Arleen, I have found I have become more tolerant, especially of things with are truly none of my business. My mother always said "age is just a number". I am pretty impressed with the six miles....I think you are doing great. Did I miss sending birthday wishes? Happy Belated Birthday. Hugs!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Bonnie. Yes, more tolerant, and more accepting of things that don't touch really touch me.
DeleteHappy Birthday, Arleen. I love this post. Well said; well written.
ReplyDeleteIt's the 15th July here as I write...and today is the birthday of a friend of mine of long-standing. I rang her earlier (woke her up, actually) and we had a long chat. We first met back in 1965 shortly after I started working with her husband as his secretary....fourteen years later I left that job when I left the city! At the time of our first meeting she was about 6 weeks away from having her first child.
Much water has flowed under many bridges since then.
I wish I could say I've become more tolerant...but, in all truth, I don't think I can...in many instances, anyway! ;)
Again...treat every day as a happy day. :)
You will, Lee, become much more tolerant because it is so much easier and evens out your life.
DeleteMy best wishes on your divisible-by-ten birthday, Arleen. May you continue to find joy in reinvention.
ReplyDeleteThank you Geo for your best wishes. My birthday was June 8th. It has taken me a month to come to grips with it.
DeleteI wish you a happy birthday, or a belated one if you had it earlier. I know what you mean about the years going by so fast and not realizing it. We left San Francisco in 1969 and when we went back at the beginning of June for the first time since we left I felt as though it had been about 20 years (that sounded like a long time) then I realized it had been …44 years! How can that be? I don’t feel that old and know that you look and feel very young too, much younger than me. I did read that as one gets older time goes by faster and faster.
ReplyDeleteI am sure you are younger. I was always the oldest kid in the playground, but again, I never noticed.
DeleteAge is a funny thing. When the old buggy starts to hurt I feel ancient but when I get down on the floor with the grands I'm just a little kid (until I try to get up again). Happy belated divisible by 10 birthday and many many more.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Delores. I have learned that before getting down, I make sure there is something around to help me get up.
DeleteThe strange thing, for me, is still being that carefree, irresponsible, do anything, go anywhere, grasp life, adventurer, but looking in a mirror and seeing something totally different. It's a bummer, isn't it!
ReplyDeleteThe mirror is no longer a friend, but sometimes I don''t even notice that. I think I look as good as I feel. It's nice to live in make believe world, Cro.
DeleteI'm still surprised at my age. I forget how old I am, but little reminders creep in. We are blessed to have reached this stage in life...I hope both of us can enjoy it for a good while longer. Happy Belated Birthday!
ReplyDeleteI am planning on doing that, Nana.
DeleteEvery part ofl life has its blessings and difficulties. I make an effort every day to find joy, even if it is only eating a package (small) of M&Ms.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you are embracing Joy. Maybe this is what happens when we have experienced enough of life to become wise.
ReplyDeleteWise or seasoned, not sure of that, Susan.
DeleteYay for reinventing yourself! I've done that several times. I think women find it easier to do than men. Maybe we're just more adaptable. I love my new life as a writer and a retiree. (Probably more the retiree part, better known as having lots of time to goof off!!)
ReplyDeleteHave a great week! :-)
I agree, Lexa, we do what we need to because life has taught us how.
DeleteHA! I know what ya mean. I wasn't "done" being young, either, but life had other plans for us. We were so busy enjoying life, we didn't notice how many years we'd been enjoying it, eh? Well, it's more than a month late, but a very happy belated birthday to you! And many many more. We've still got a lot of living and loving to do.
ReplyDeleteIt ain't over till the fat lady sings, and now that I am 15 lbs. less than I was when I retired, I don't even hear her hum.
DeleteHappy birthday - being 40 - right - is not old at all. sandie
ReplyDeleteThat works for me.
DeleteNext week I am going to update my profile and picture. I feel this is very brave of me. I have changed my hair color from strawberry blond, which I have had since I was 18, to blond. It is more appropriate and the grey/white doesn't show.
Walking 6 miles with out breaking a sweat ... sounds like superwoman to me. Very much enjoyed your post. Lots to identify with ... love the " I wasn't done being young " .
ReplyDeleteIt has been so hot lately, Willow, that I break out in a sweat just putting my head out the front door. Thank you so much for commenting.
DeleteBrilliant post. Like one which you should print out on a card and sell in shops, I bet many people relate to it!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jenny, for your very kind words.
DeleteOH wow can I relate to this post. I can not tell you how much I enjoyed reading this wonderful well written post.
ReplyDeleteYou do sound like you have found Joy and what a Blessing at our age. Like you I was not ready to give up being young.
Belated Happy Birthday! May you keep on enjoying your retirement each and every day for many years to come
Love
Maggie
Thank you Maggie. I also find joy when I get comments from nice people like you.
ReplyDeleteI tried to comment twice, yesterday and mean old Google wouldn't let me. It wasn't as if I put anything naughty or rude (as if I would indeed) Loved your video - I don't do young either
ReplyDeleteSure you do Molly. Our bodies and minds might not be as perky, but our spirits are.
DeleteThis was beautifully written Arleen! I'm impressed that you could walk six miles without breaking a sweat, and I still remember how great you looked in your dress at your son's wedding. So try not to worry about the number, and concentrate on enjoying your grandchildren. Happy Belated Birthday Arleen, and many more healthy ones!
ReplyDeleteJulie
On a good day I can walk six miles, during this horrendous heat, moving six feet is an effort.
DeleteThank you Julie. I loved the dress that I wore to my son's wedding and wish I could wear it again. Maybe I should wear it to Costco; I bet I could turn a few heads there.
Dear Arleen,
ReplyDeleteYour wonderful words resonate with the wonder that beats in the heart of a lady who knows that our inner child knows we can realise we're too young to ever be old.
Lovely thoughts, Arleen. Belated birthday blessings.
Gary :)
That is so sweet of you, Gary.
DeleteWhere did the time go? As I read your blog, it reminded me of my own passing years and one of the best part is that I had been able to share it with you.
ReplyDeleteThank you for letting me call you Friend!
Dearest Kathy,
ReplyDeleteHaving a dear, wonderful friend as you are over these almost 40 years, has enhanced my life so much. We were neighbors who became sisters and no matter the distance that separate us, you are always with me in my heart.
What a beautiful and uplifting post. Happy belated birthday. Mellow is good. As I grow older I appreciate that I no longer lurch between the wild emotions of youth, when every little incident seemed a big drama. That emotional energy can now be spent on more creative things, and I feel very glad about that.
ReplyDeleteThe wild emotions of youth were exciting and sometimes difficult. It is so much easier to be mellow yellow
DeleteThank you for your comment, Joanne
Oh my gosh.... you are so writing about me!! I didn't want to grow old. I don't want the wrinkles and everything else that comes with being old. I love life though and take things one day at a time.
ReplyDeleteFrom the reaction to my blog, this post spoke to many. I am so happy that I touched people with my words..
DeleteAfter a health scare last year I have embraced with my heart and soul getting old.
ReplyDeleteI thank you for coming to visit my other blog, Once Upon a Chocolate Life! I hope you come back!
You. Had me at chocolate, Elizabeth.
DeleteHi Arleen!
ReplyDeleteI loved this! As many others commented, I can so relate to almost everything. (no grand babies of my own, yet) I am excited that I have decided to retire at the end of next year. You impress me with your six miles! I am working on it, but not to the part where I am not breaking a sweat at three. :)
You have the perfect attitude, and I appreciate you sharing.
One mile at a time, Sandi. When I cirst retired, I would be out of breath after going around the block. Baby steps in the beginning and add a little more on each time. You will be there sooner than you think.
DeleteLove the last line especially!! Despicable Me 2 is hysterical especially if you are a James Bond fan. The Medicare Mom.
ReplyDeleteI loved the first, and heard the second was even better. Thank you Jody.
DeleteThat last paragraph couldn't be more perfect.
ReplyDeleteLoved all of this.
Pearl
Why, thank you Pearl.
DeleteI don't usually think much about age until I hit a milestone. Or until I do something I haven't done in a while.
ReplyDeleteYep, milestones will do it.
Delete...gosh darn it, me neither!...So well expressed!
ReplyDeleteNumbers are a bummer, living life and ignoring the numbers, so much better.
DeleteOh my, I just found your blog.
ReplyDeleteHave gone through many days of your sharing
I must be your twin.
My 70's over in a couple of years.
My body relates
but still not my mind.
I will be a new follower.
Love your title
that's me....