I've heard it said that 50 is the new 30. Do I agree? I'm not sure but I sure hope it is. I was really looking forward to turning 30. I thought 30 sounded more experienced and maybe I'd be taken more serious in the business world. I wasn't a fan of my 20s. I spent my 20s as a single mom, working and going to school. It was a busy time with great accomplishments and trials. I was so ready to jump into the decade of 30. It didn't' disappoint. My 30s were great! My kids were getting bigger, got married, had another child, and also got in the best shape of my life. Those were the days.
Then came the 40s... piece of cake! Forty didn't scare me one bit. I thought I was in good shape, my health was great, had a beautiful family, life was good. That decade had some trying times (adulting), but I survived them and think I'm stronger because of them. Everyone needs to go through some darkness in their lives in order to really appreciate the glorious light! This year 49 came. The last year of my 40s. Not sure I like this year so far. That "5-0" is lurking around the corner and taunting me, reminding me that my fun 40s are almost up. I'm a little anxious to find out if 50 really is the new 30.
This last year of my 40s is taking on a whole new life of its own. Last week I found another silver hair. But wait, this time in my eyebrow! If dying my roots wasn't enough every three weeks -- now I have to start worrying about the brows. Oh please! And then the old baby-maker wanted to remind me that I'm almost 50 and I'm currently in week two of recovering from a hysterectomy. Granted, there is an upside to it -- no more periods. After 38 years -- thank you Jesus! Oh, and I got to keep my ovaries, so I shouldn't be expecting a beard anytime soon! Have to look for the the bright side, right?!
I have a drawer full of creams, potions, lotions, gels, serums, you name it -- all to combat the signs of aging. I like to think they are doing something. But the bags and dark circles under my eyes most mornings are telling me something quite different. I've always been a skincare junkie. I chose early on to be proactive about my face so that I didn't ever get tempted to go under the knife when I'm older -- you know, like 50! I've done peels, dermabrasion, scrubs, laser treatments, and full-on regimens with promises of taking 10+ years off my face. I am on an ongoing pursuit for beautiful, youthful skin and won't stop! Currently, the only thing youthful about my skin is the acne I have to deal with. Thank you hormones.
My body. It definitely reminds me that I'm almost 5-0. I finally found a workout I enjoy, but the worn-down cartilage on my patella tells me otherwise. I have pretty much learned to accommodate the knee pain to get the workout done. Of course, I have another six weeks before I can get back to my gym. In the meantime I walk in circles around my house (did I mention I live in the desert and walking outside is formidable), and use three-pound weights to give my arms a little something. The noises my body makes when I get up in the morning are almost obscene. The cracks, creaks, and pops almost have enough rhythm to form their own song, or at least chorus.
Oh 50. 5-0. Fifty. No matter how you say, there is no avoiding it. Well there is -- but I'd rather not go that route of avoidance. So how will I do this? How will I handle exiting my 40s and will I embrace my 50s? Good questions. As with most things in my life, I will do my best to stand tall, embrace myself for coming out of the first 50 years of life pretty darn well. I still have great health. My doctor says all my blood work and numbers are textbook perfect! I have an amazing (and sexy) husband. Great kids that I am doggone proud of and three grandbabies. Life really is good. No life is great and I will take that attitude into my 50s, brave and strong! Bring it!
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