I've never really been one to spend my birthday thinking about the years gone by and how I've changed. Somehow this birthday is different. Maybe because it's my last year in the thirty-something range. Next year I'll be 40. I always say I still feel the same as I did in high school but thankfully, I'm starting to realize that's not true.
There are the obvious differences like back problems, knee problems, less energy, more weight, etc., that I didn't have as a teenager. And there are some things that are the same...I still get nervous talking in a crowd, I'm still not the life of the party, I still make jokes when a conversation becomes too serious, I'm still non-confrontational and I still want to please the people around me.
What I'm thankful for is the less obvious differences I've noticed between my teen self and the person I am today. I am no longer annoyed by the mom at the grocery store whose kid is screaming like a maniac....I get it. Instead of doing things for people so they will like me more, I now do things for people so I will like me more. Having things in my life isn't as important as having family in my life. I now willingly put aside some of my wishes to fulfill the wishes of three precious angels...wishes like "I wish you would read me a story", "I wish you would play school with me", "I wish you would make me a sandwich". And one of the most important differences....I now realize 40 is not old and you can do anything at any age! Heck...I'm training for a half-marathon right now. Back when I was 19 if you would have told me in 20 years I would be training for a half-marathon AND that I would be chasing after a one year old, I would have laughed in your face.
One thing that is the same now as it was back then is my high school sweetheart. We've been married over 18 years now. Things haven't always gone the way we planned but we've had a wonderful adventure along the way. Thanks honey for all your love and support over the years. And today when you want to start teasing me about being old, remember.....you will be 40 before I will old man!
Holy Crap! You're almost 40! That must stink.
ReplyDeleteWait, I'm 41. It does stink.
I actually went to an eyewear store today to check out getting a pair of "readers". What a downer. I couldn't dunk it when I was a teenager and I can't dunk it now. So, no biggie there. I couldn't run a mile when I was a teenager and I can't run mile now. Ah, so what. I had pimples as a teenager and, well, I don't have pimples now, but my eyesight is going bad. Is nothing sacred? Getting old sucks. But, as you say, getting old with family makes it a journey. Happy Birthday to you.
I just found your blog--Yea! Great post. I hope you had a wonderful birthday.
ReplyDelete