In a few short days, on April 28th, I will celebrate another birthday. I generally let these days slide by unnoticed but this year marks another decade. I am turning 60. I am not in shock even though that voice inside me asks how this happened when I turned 50 only just a few short days ago. No, I am not suffering from early onset dementia, perhaps a menopause moment, or just the realization that life speeds up with every decade.
Of course many have spouted the rhetoric, “Well how do you feel about that?” My answer, “I can’t change it so I may as well enjoy it. Is there really any point to being in a late-life crisis over this?”
I am curious about those who claim to be in crisis over turning 60, and about those who ask how I feel. As if we can change the fact that we are growing older, and that each of us will hit all these landmarks sooner or later unless something unexpected happens.
Honestly, I feel 37. I told a sales clerk at the Body Shop the other day, when she asked if I had an April birthday, entitling me to a 10% discount, that I was about to turn 50. She casually looked me over then smiled and said that I did not look 50. Silently I applauded her and partied inside cheering the fact that, at least in her eyes, I wasn’t even close to 60. Of course Jim couldn’t stand it and ‘outed’ me. Poor girl is still confused about my exact age. And why do I have to fess up to it anyway. If I say I am younger than the calendar tells me, will I not attract more youth?
Yes, just like anyone else, I have the desire to live and look young. Of course the mirror tells me something else. I see the wrinkles creeping in around my eyes and mouth and the furrows deepening in my cheeks, and still I can’t see 60 years. It is only a date after all, my biological age. I think I will continue to defer to the sales clerks and my own inner voice and ignore the mirror.
Party on! And on May 1st I will do just that – we are hosting a labyrinth walk and I decided it was also time to party. Now this is a big decision for me as I had my last real birthday party when I turned 9. It was memorable in that Donna Covey ate too much cake and barfed all over my new shoes. I remember a few tears and the chaos that followed. Not to say there haven’t been other opportunities, I have simply chosen to find other ways to celebrate. I turned 50 outside Portland OR at my friend Delayne’s home nestled at the foot of Mount Hood – that was very special. I can’t remember how I celebrated 20, 30 or 40. I want to remember celebrating 60 and I’ll let you know how it goes.
As for the rest of you who will hit this landmark age along with me this year, you are invited to my party and to witness what a real celebration looks like. I have a picture painted in my head of dancing, and drumming – moving forward on the heartbeat of life. Care to join me?
Until next time,
Betty
Hope you had a lovely party; the walking and drumming sound like a good choice. 🙂 I am turning 60 in a few days, so am reading how others have felt about it. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.