on turning 40

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'Age is just a number,' they say. OK. And, until just now, I was not much of a fan of the number 40. I am one of those annoying people who has dreaded this birthday for ages. It seems so 'middle-age'y. But, I fancy myself to be a great rationalizer & here's what I came up with:


It's the 1st anniversary of my 20th birthday.
I'm turning 21 again. For the 19th time.
I'm becoming 'two score'.
Had I been born just a day earlier (on Leap Year) I'd only be turning 10.


As I was thinking of these (kinda stupid) things I asked myself, why do I care?


Maybe it's the 40 year old in me. (Though it's only been a few hours, I'm feeling rather seasoned.) I looked around and realized that I've learned a LOT and gathered insights and information that will be invaluable to me on the next part of my journey. What to do, what NOT to do, when to do it, whether or not to do it, how to do it, how to get someone else to do it (ha).


The first forty years of life give us the text, the next thirty supply the commentary on it. ~Schopenhauer


I'm not having a lavish celebration, much to the disappointment of my husband and kids who fruitlessly tried time and again to plan a surprise party for me. Their attempts were foiled through a variety of means, many of which I'm not proud of, like bribing my 8 year old. (who, incidentally, said he wouldn't squeal for less than $50. That kid's going places.) He never did get his $50 but the fact that he was willing to consider it meant he had the goods and that was enough for me. So, no party.


I got a giant cheesecake last night, awoke to balloons and three bouquets of flowers (one from each of the loves in this house) and just yesterday I opened the most darling gift I've received in a very long time. My adored childhood friend (now a renowned photographer) packed up her daughter & her camera and drove nearly five hours to take photos of my kids for me. I got the disc of the days events in the mail. I cherish those pictures (and her!) I had a delightful birthday lunch with another old friend today, complete with flowers, cake, candles and fizzy pink drinks. I'm surrounded by loved ones and feel oh-so-lucky!


It's these things you learn to appreciate as you turn the corner. I may be a slow learner, it's taken me half a lifetime to get here. As I sit back and think about it, I'm pretty happy where I am in life. Sure I could sit here and find something I could change or something I wish were different. But why? The facts are that I have a great husband, two kids I delight in, I'm healthy, have a roof over my head, am educated, I get to work from home doing something I love (oftentimes in my PJs looking not unlike Christopher Lloyd, with a giant mug of flavored coffee) and I have accomplished a good deal of the things my childhood mind had set out for me to do.


Today I decided that I'm going to do my best to never again complain about becoming older, as so many people in my life did not have the luxury of doing so. And with that, I celebrate today and every day that I was blessed with. 


I will revel in the simple things and had my first opportunity to do so already this morning. Every Spring a little bird comes & sits on the deck outside the window where I work. I haven't seen her since last season and she was there this morning. My first sign of Spring! A new season is underway and I can't wait. 

Melissa Bolton, Copywriter & Internet Marketing Strategist  Designher Brands | melissa@designherbrands.com