Gracefully

In a little over a week I will be 45 years old. This does not worry me or make me feel old, although I do realize I am older. I see my wrinkles, feel the creakiness creeping into my bones and do not have as sharp a mind as I used to. But I feel pretty good and I think I look all right, so at this point I am not stressing about age. What I do think about is aging gracefully. In body, mind, spirit, and action. I hope I can pull it off. In reality, I AM GRATEFUL WE GROW UP!

About 1973-ish...I am on the left

I am grateful that age brings perspective. About everything! It changes priorities. Experience is a great teacher. Some of the things that I have learned through the years...

~Skinny is not everything! I was a stick for half of my life. I got called every name in the book-anorexic, chicken legs, walking stick...I have gained some curves and soft spots since having children and I have to say that even though I always want to lose that "last 5 pounds", I like myself more now that I did back when I weighed 120. I like the softness that comes with a little fluff. Just sayin'.

Highschool~ Amy on the left, me on the right

My Institute ID in college

~I have made many mistakes. Some of them were doozies. I will make many more, as I am entirely human. Hopefully they will not be the same ones I have made before. I have learned from them. They have made me stronger, more empathetic, and less judgmental. I have learned (for the most part) not to assume the worst about anyone, or any situation; though there are times that it really is exactly what it looks like. I have learned people CAN change, but only when they want to. I have also learned that mistakes do not define people. How they handle them does.

Life in college-I learned some of my biggest lessons there.
This is me with Michael Damian~a singer and actor.

~People will judge you. People will form opinions about you. It is a human condition to do so. It doesn't mean they are right about you, and it doesn't mean they are bad for thinking what they do.  You can let it affect you or you can breeze past the judgments and live your life. Perceptions can be changed. Your choice is to change them if they need to be changed.

~Life really does have seasons. Seasons of change,trial, ease, friendships, health, sickness, responsibilities, freedom and happiness. And many, many more. The trick is to know which one you are in, and make the most of it. When my kids were little and sick ALL the time, I finally learned that this was our time to cuddle and stay home together, and that all the other things could wait for another season.

~Out of all the things that I thought were important in my younger life, only two of them are still important to me. My relationship with God and my relationships with people. Maybe you're worried it's only two, but those two things encompass everything a human does in a lifetime. The things, the events and happenings, the fluff and show and outward appearances are nothing when all is said and done. Relationships take a lifetime of work and they are included in everything that is good and praiseworthy. I have a long way to go, but I am grateful I still realize their importance.