It's Just a Number

This past March I turned fifty.  The "Big 5-0".  I remember when my parents celebrated their 50th birthdays.  I was in my early twenties and I guess at that age I didn't really look at 50 as very old, but it definitely seemed a long way off for me!

Now here I am, beginning my 50th year, and trying to process this whole aging thing.  It's funny how birthdays make you start to think.  Most days I can say that I feel great.  People have told me that I don't "look 50".  Whatever 50 is supposed to look like.  I try to eat right, I try not to use too many excuses as to why I can't exercise :), and I try to make some "me" time every day.

Sure, I'm noticing little things that remind me that I am older now.  When I look at my hands, I'm beginning to see my mother's hands.  It seems that I have to get to the salon a little sooner than I had to before to get my grays covered, and there are days, when I'm really tired, that I think I should have started using that anti-aging cream long before I did!  Oh, and let me not forget my reading glasses!  I can't read a menu, a prescription bottle, or cooking instructions on a package of food for the life of me without my reading glasses.

The fiftieth birthday is usually viewed as one with monumental significance.  What I've realized since turning 50 is that it really is just a number.  Yes, I'm  older, but it doesn't mean it's the end of the world.  It doesn't mean I'm a different person.  Yes, it has made me reflect on my life and think about what is truly important to me, but that's a good thing.  That's a really good thing.  I've made the decision to say "no" more often to all  of the external demands on me.  I'm going to try to "not sweat the small stuff".  I choose to look at this year as a new beginning with lots of opportunities out there waiting for me.

My best friend also turned 50 this year.  We've both decided to embrace it, to run with  it, and to look forward to all of the new experiences that getting older will bring.  I know that some of the experiences may not be fun -- hot flashes, wrinkles and aches and pains.   However, I know that I can look forward to my children growing into adults with lives of their own, marriages, and hopefully grandchildren.  All of these experiences will be made even better by going through them with a friend.

I feel good being 50.  I am grateful to be here and have the life that I do.  I thank God every day for giving me another day.  I have truly embraced my age and, yes, growing older, and I look forward to all that is to come.  How have you embraced your age, whatever age that may be?  Share your experiences, what you're looking forward to, or maybe even what you're afraid of so we can all give each other the courage we need to grow old.


Today's guest post is by Judy Salcedo, known to all of us as "heyjude".  We got to know her in some of Tracey Clark's Picture classes and she is now a member of Prompt Addicts and a faithful follower of Focusing on Life.  You can enjoy her beautiful photography on her blog  as well as on Flickr. Thanks so much, Judy, for being our guest!