Today is my -- deep breath -- 35th birthday. Okay, so that wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be. Actually, being 35 doesn't scare me. It doesn't even really give me pause. But, it does seem like the appropriate juncture in my life to take stock and not just because I am now constitutionally old enough to run for President of the United States.
When I was growing up, I always thought my parents were 35 -- not for any particular reason, but 35 was a largish, round number light-years away from my own age. Of course, I knew when they were born and doing the math wasn't difficult, but 35 seemed like the age that parents were. And, now, that I am 35 and they most definitely are not, our roles have still stayed the same. They're still parents, only now, so am I. I am the age that parents are. And, I don't feel as old as they seemed to me. But, I am.
Last fall, as I sat in grad school orientation, I looked around and thought, this is like an episode of Sesame Street on crack. One of these things is so not like the 50 others and it's me. I'm the outlier. I used to be the youngest, everywhere. I graduated from college in 3 years. I was the youngest intern, staff writer, research assistant, team member, roommate, employee at a firm of 300, committee chair, organization president, and on and on. Everything was always ahead of me. But, not anymore. I'm on a collision course with middle-age and much of my life is behind me, and really, I'm glad.
The last 35 years have been good ones. Sure, there have been moments I wished would have turned out differently, there were failures and disappointments and certainly there were bad hair days (probably too many of these), but mostly, I've been really blessed in my life. I have a great life. I have terrific friends and stellar parents. I have a husband I cannot believe I was lucky enough to marry and pinch myself over daily. I have 2 kids who make me grateful I am a mother. I have read about amazing places and people and then had the incredible fortune to visit and meet them in person. I have good health and financial security. I am surrounded by love and brilliance and humor and joy and all the good things life has to offer.
I am content with who I am and even more content with knowing 35 isn't old. It's just older than I was. I have so much life ahead of me and being the age that parents are just enhances that. I don't know what the future holds, and certainly my past is not much help with predicting that. But, I'm looking forward to what's next and I'm positive much of it will be just as rewarding and wonderful as my past was and my present is.
One thing I can predict with absolute certainty, Article II, Section I of the US Constitution notwithstanding, I will not be running for President.
When I was growing up, I always thought my parents were 35 -- not for any particular reason, but 35 was a largish, round number light-years away from my own age. Of course, I knew when they were born and doing the math wasn't difficult, but 35 seemed like the age that parents were. And, now, that I am 35 and they most definitely are not, our roles have still stayed the same. They're still parents, only now, so am I. I am the age that parents are. And, I don't feel as old as they seemed to me. But, I am.
Last fall, as I sat in grad school orientation, I looked around and thought, this is like an episode of Sesame Street on crack. One of these things is so not like the 50 others and it's me. I'm the outlier. I used to be the youngest, everywhere. I graduated from college in 3 years. I was the youngest intern, staff writer, research assistant, team member, roommate, employee at a firm of 300, committee chair, organization president, and on and on. Everything was always ahead of me. But, not anymore. I'm on a collision course with middle-age and much of my life is behind me, and really, I'm glad.
The last 35 years have been good ones. Sure, there have been moments I wished would have turned out differently, there were failures and disappointments and certainly there were bad hair days (probably too many of these), but mostly, I've been really blessed in my life. I have a great life. I have terrific friends and stellar parents. I have a husband I cannot believe I was lucky enough to marry and pinch myself over daily. I have 2 kids who make me grateful I am a mother. I have read about amazing places and people and then had the incredible fortune to visit and meet them in person. I have good health and financial security. I am surrounded by love and brilliance and humor and joy and all the good things life has to offer.
I am content with who I am and even more content with knowing 35 isn't old. It's just older than I was. I have so much life ahead of me and being the age that parents are just enhances that. I don't know what the future holds, and certainly my past is not much help with predicting that. But, I'm looking forward to what's next and I'm positive much of it will be just as rewarding and wonderful as my past was and my present is.
One thing I can predict with absolute certainty, Article II, Section I of the US Constitution notwithstanding, I will not be running for President.
13 comments:
During the World Cup last year, I heard some commentators talking about how too many of Australia's players were "on the wrong side of 30." What's wrong with being over 30? Absolutely nothing. Heck, I'm MUCH closer to 40 than to 30, and you're right, it's been mostly good up to now.
Happy birthday!
Zoe
Happy birthday! I love your taking stock and deeming it good. Wishing you a year that is as great as you are. Love you!
Happy Birthday! And if you do happen to change your mind about running for President, I will vote for you. I might even volunteer be your campaign manager.
happy birthday! and linsey, i'd vote for you for president...just saying :)
Happy Birthday to you, too, and hope it was a great day!
Happy Birthday! 35 is young to me. I barely remember it, in fact.
Happy Birthday! I love your perspective. It helps ME and I have a good ten years on you. :)
This post made me smile. You have a great attitude. I like "the wrong side of 30" much better than any side of 20 :)
I'm just glad that you came to us 35 years ago. What a lot of joy I would have missed. Love MOM
Me Too. But I can remember the day you were born--was it really 35 years ago? Surely not, for I still feel 35 myself! Love, DAD
I've decided that 35 is the perfect age and we will all be 35 for eternity. Sounds good, don't you think?
I love the positive energy from this post. We are as happy as we allow ourselves to be!
Happy Happy Happy BIRTHDAY!!! This was a great post. I remember when my mom turned 40...I could hardly believe when I turned 40 how young I felt...even though at the time I thought she was sooooo old at 40.
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