November 30th.
It's my birthday, and today I am completing my 60th circuit around the sun.
It's actually happened. I knew it would--someday. "The way of all flesh," and all that. Yet, somehow, in the midst of a million unnoticed blinks, I became...60.
I don't feel it. As a matter of fact, my brain bubbles with energy--filled with thousands of ideas that bounce like pinballs inside my head. Inside I feel--just like my Gramma used to say when I asked her how it felt to be old (yeah, I was one of those kids)--like I'm still seventeen. Ok, Gramma said 17, but I think I feel more like 35. Old enough to be past all the teenage angst, and the "who am I?" of my 20s. Old enough to be a bit settled, but not so old that I can't appreciate silly.
I like silly.
But 60? The big 6-0? I'm not sure how I feel about that.
But you know, in saner moments, I realize that age is little more than a number (that, and the crinkly-eyed stranger who sometimes appears in my mirror at 4:30 in the morning). I am who I've always been, and no matter the date on my driver's license and passport, that person has plans and goals, and can't sit still (at least mentally) and watch the world go by. That person has things to do!
So this year? What wishes will I make on the candles perched atop that sure-to-be-flaming cake?
I have a few.
I'll wish for acceptance to my chosen Ph.D. program, so someday my grandkids can call me Dr. Gramma.
I'll wish for another trip to Rome.
I'll wish for time to write my second novel.
(I'll make a really big wish that getting a tattoo doesn't hurt too much)
But I'll also be wishing for a happy and healthy grandbaby #10 next May, and I'll wish the biggest possible blessings on the grandbabies who are already here (and their parents, too, just for good measure).
But mostly, I'll be thankful.
I'll be thankful for my health.
For my amazing, patient, supportive husband who puts up with a LOT, especially when those pinball-like ideas start bouncing around my brain.
For my family and friends who probably think I'm crazy, but love me anyway. (I love you, too!)
For the new life and career that rose from the ashes of the old, not too many years ago, re-energizing me in ways I never expected.
I'm thankful for new challenges. For great books--and lots (more) of them.
For the legacy that both goes before me and follows after.
And yes, I'm even thankful to be 60. After all, what's the alternative?
So... who wants cake?
(1.5.2017 update - the tattoo is amazing, and was barely painful!) ;)
