As you'll recall from an earlier post, I was 36 two years in a row. In my mind, I'm still thirty six. Maybe that's why turning 44 is not phasing me a bit. Or maybe it's the fact that the number means absolutely nothing to me in real life.
My son graduated in June. During his graduation celebration my best friend was with me - standing there together it was odd to me that it seemed as though it was just the day before we were graduating. I could see us clear as day standing there smiling for our own photos in our (hideous) green cap and gown. The only difference from that day and the day I took photos of my son was my hair wasn't a big 80s puffy do, my contacts replaced my Sally Jessie Raphel glasses and the baby fat finally gone. But in my mind, I'm still that 18 year old standing there next to my 18 year old...
I truly believe you only feel as old as you chose to feel. My grandparents are in their mid 90s. They are active and still sharp as tacks. If you ask them, I would suppose there are many days they feel 90, but from the outside looking in - I'm talking mid 70s, tops. They chose to live an active, happy life. It is mind over matter.
I chose to feel young, to be young. I don't have an issue jumpin' on the rope swing and yelling like Tarzan as my daughter shoves me with all her might. I'm the gal who finds it funny when you hide a fake rat in your co-workers drawer just for the fun in making her scream and to feel yourself laugh. Yep, that's me who jumps on the grocery cart and gives it a shove betting the kids I can roll it to the car. Young at heart and full of playfulness. I'm also the one who is mindful (candy corn & pumpkin blizzards aside *although I do order the small!) about what I eat to keep my body healthy, I walk and always take the stairs. I try and keep my mind sharp by reading and thinking outside the box. I am the one who uses the sunscreen and moisturizes each night. I'm the one trying to maintain this body to take me to my 100th birthday ~ I don't ever want to act 100 and I certainly don't want to look it, but on how fun to see it! And so it should come as no surprise that I'm the one who says 44 and questions myself, really am I really 44? Lemme do the math.
Listen, my son, accept what I say, and the years of your life will be many.
Proverbs 4:10
God gave me this life and I look at it as a gift. My body, he blessed me with good health and a heart seeking Him. I want to take the best care of this body to honor that blessing. I don't abuse my body intentionally knowing that I've been given this gift of health and it is my responsibility to take care of it. My heart, it was given to me to be filled. To be filled to overflowing and pouring out onto others.
God gave me my sense of humor, my playfulness, my imagination, my intelligence, my hopes and dreams. I am mindful when I am playful to be kind to others and not funny at another's expense. With my creativity I think of others and how outside the box I can make others feel special. With my intelligence I work to make smart choices and do a job well done. And my hopes and dreams, I seed them in the Lord!
Birthdays... a day to make a wish when blowing out the candles. My sweet husband worked all morning on my Cherry Chip birthday cake, upon it a candle Hummmm.... today my wish...... I wish for my 45th birthday and I believe I'll begin counting down to it today....