Witty Comments On Turning 50

I turn 50 in two days. Two days, people! I am somewhere between panic and acceptance, as far as this particular birthday is concerned. I mean, in my mind I do not feel like 50. As if I know what that really means…after all, I’ve never been 50 before. This is all new territory for me. You know you are rounding a bend in the road when you realize that your high school graduation, circa 1986, wasn’t yesterday. It is now several decades ago. Gulp. Breathe in. Breathe out. Turn on iHeart radio to ’80’s music. Try not to hyperventilate. Over the past five decades, I like to think I’ve gleaned some wisdom. Indulge me for a few minutes as I share some of what I’ve learned.

1. Life on earth is short. It doesn’t matter whether you take one breath, or live to be 100, in the big scheme of things it is all short. 
2. Because life is short, choose wisely what you are going to let bother you. Honestly, cleaning up cat puke, and dust bunnies the size of Texas tumbleweeds roaming throughout the house isn’t as important. Clean or messy, it is what it is.
3. Real friends don’t always expect you to be “on”. If I show up without makeup on, or my clothes are a bit wrinkled, my friends are just happy I showed up. Showing up and being there are what is important.
4. Short hair is a lot easier to take care of. There is freedom in losing the locks. Besides, I have super cute earlobes that get covered with long hair. Just putting that out there.
5. Forgiveness can be hard, especially if it wasn’t asked for, or even deserved. Forgive anyway. It is more for you than for them. Be better, not bitter.
6. A fifty-year-old body does not resemble a twenty-one-year-old body in the slightest. I have to be honest. Sometimes I mourn this. When I was young I wore a bikini and was tan and blond. To ever look like that again…well, let’s just say that dream has died.
7. So yes, my body has changed over the years. Really, it has never been quite the way it was since having my son, twenty-three years ago. He was worth every stretch mark. I’m still working on losing some of that baby weight.
8. God is faithful. He has been in the past and He will be again. I’ve gone through some stuff in my life. Some hard stuff.  I know I would not be here today if He had not brought me through to the other side.
9. Losing someone you love is one of the hardest things you will ever go through. Be it a parent, a sibling, a spouse or a child. Although life goes on, it won’t ever be quite the same again. Expect a new kind of normal.
10. Tell those you love that you love them. Tell them. I don’t care if it feels weird or goofy. Do it. You need to say it, and they need to hear it. I told my husband he just has to get over it–I tell him I love him all the time. It doesn’t get old. If I go before he does, he will never have to wonder how much he was loved. That is a gift. 
11. Keep in contact with your parent(s). I have a wonderful mom who is my biggest encourager. She lives miles away from me but recently visited. I was reminded what a calming effect my mother has on me. No matter how old I get, I am still her child. There is something very comforting in that.
12. Help people when you can. The longer I live the more I realize how important that is…not in a grandiose way, but quietly. Even if you are only a small cog in a big wheel there is satisfaction in knowing that you made a real difference in others lives. Giving really can be better than receiving.
13. Toddlers are energetic and happy and excited about everything. I am turning 50, but my granddaughter makes me feel young again when we go for walks and look at bugs, and bees and pick flowers and giggle at the llamas across the road.
14. There is nothing sweeter than a kiss from a child. Even the Grinch knows this! 
15. Sometimes the people that come across as the meanest or most hateful are the ones that need the most love. Hurt people hurt other people. That is so true. I had one mother of a student that hated me for no other reason except that I was white. She got in my face and screamed at me, I had to wipe her spit off my face. She scared me to death. I had never in my 27 years (at the time) been treated that way. I didn’t give up on her, I cared about her son, I fought for a relationship with this woman. Slowly, it happened…….and I am so glad we both came together. It was a good life lesson.
16. Working with those with disabilities is a passion of mine. I have spent my entire adult life (and most of my childhood!) working with this population.  Whether I am teaching, consulting or advocating I will always stand up for those who don’t have a voice.
17. I love being a wife, a mother, and a nana. I think too often our society looks down on women who love these roles. Stand tall women! Don’t let anyone look down on you for your choice to stay home. “The hand that rocks the cradle, rules the world.” 
18. My doctor told me that I might not be able to get pregnant because of an autoimmune condition I have. I got pregnant at 26 and had my son just two days after my 27th birthday. Having my son taught me what unconditional love truly is all about.
19. Having an autoimmune condition isn’t easy, but it is something I have learned to live with. Being sick or chronically ill is never easy. I know there are people reading this, that have it much worse than I do. You live that day in and day out. You are strong.
20. Family is important. Relationships are what matters. The people who you share memories with…
21. You are never too old to learn new things. I was in my forties when I decided to go back to school to get my Masters degree. I loved my classes. It was a lot of hard work, but I did it, did it with a 4.0. Take that you twenty-somethings! (Just kidding with you, I know you worked hard also.)
22. I am still trying to deal with the fact that I now need reading glasses, and I actually got mail from the AARP the other day. I am not quite ready for that yet, although I am looking forward to senior discounts in the future. Just sayin’. 
23. I still want to write a book. Don’t give up on dreams.
24. Life can be and still is good at 50….or 60….or 70+. Life is what you make it. God gave each of us so many days. Don’t waste them.
25. Joy is a choice.