Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Time to Party: I'm Another Year Older and--Hopefully--Wiser

It's my birthday today! I'm another year older and another year, I hope, wiser. Popping champagne and celebrating with my family tonight with a yummy dinner out. I'm not sure where we'll go, but it is always a treat for me to hang up my apron and be served for a change.

Yes, it's true. I'm getting "older." But I don't care. I look younger than my age, I'm in fairly good health with the exception of a pesky thyroid, and the people I care about are still kicking around the block. Life is good. Sure, every new year brings a change that isn't always pleasant. The pesky thyroid has wrecked havoc with my weight, but heck, I'm not huge. I'm just normal. Another change has been with my eyesight. I have all these little glasses tucked in different rooms just to read labels and books. The good news is that my diminishing ability to read up close has also had the pleasant side effect of my not being able to see all my blemishes or any additional wrinkles that might line my face.

Note: I do have a "magnifying mirror." I only use it to see those pesky hairs in my chin so I can pluck them.

Some people get all grumpy about turning another year older. I've read blogs about it. The people who are most freaked out are usually a lot younger than me. To be honest, I've never worried about getting older. I have enjoyed each age and each adult stage so much that to moan and groan about some silly number seems ridiculous. After all, I've gained so much besides pounds and wrinkles and a few extra chin hairs. I've gained a greater sense of myself and who I am and who I want to be when I am fully cooked.

I am by no means fully cooked. I have so much more to learn and to accomplish. I celebrate my birthday with joy because I love life. If I have a choice between celebrating oh, let's say, 35 or 85, or not being here at all, I pick either age.

As long as I am breathing, I have my cognitive abilities, and I can move around with relative ease, who am I to complain about a number? It's not a score. It is a number. It doesn't define me. It only means that I'm still here.

Cheers!!

16 comments:

Ellen Brickley said...

Agreed, Christine, and many happy returns!

My mother has always said she doesn't fear aging because while most people associate getting older with getting closer to death, she associates it with being alive for longer. When you put it like that, there is no question which outlook is the right one!

Patricia Preston said...

Happy Birthday! I hope you have many more to come.

Pam Asberry said...

Well said, Christine! I'm partying with you in spirit!

Creepy Query Girl said...

Joyeux Anniversaire! Happy Birthday! You have such a great outlook! I love it!

Christine said...

HI Ellen: Thanks so much. Yes, your mom is right. Why worry about how we change physically as we get older? We gain so much by enjoying the ride!

Christine said...

Hi Patricia, Pam, & Katie: Thanks so much for your birthday wishes!! I wish we could all celebrate in person but a cyber celebration works, too!

Cheers!

:-)

Melanie Dickerson said...

I love your attitude, Christine! You go girl! And HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Hope you have a wonderful day! I'll have to read this again on my birthday next month! I'm happy we're both alive! :-)

Alicia Hunter Pace (aka Jean Hovey and Stephanie Jones) said...

Happy Birthday, Christine.
You and are are on the same page.

I remember when I turned 30, someone lightly younger asked me how I dealt with it. I replied that it was hard to worry about it because I was running as hard as I could to ride the Grizzly River Rampage one more time before the park closed.

Well. Opry Land park is long gone and I've had other milestone birthdays but the attitude remains the same. If you are determined to be old and useless, you will be.

I say no.

Robin said...

Happy Birthday! Best wishes for a wonderful year!

Anne Gallagher said...

Happy Happy Birthday Christine. Like fine wine, you'll age just brilliantly.

Cheryl said...

Happy Birthday Christine! Hope you have a wonderful evening!

Christine said...

Melanie: I hope you have fun celebrating your birthday next week! Cheers :-)

Jean: I rode my first roller coaster when I was over 30. The Big Bad Wolf at Busch Gardens. I loved them! Now I am gearing up for more of the same in March. I prefer having fun and enjoying life to grumping about a number, too! :-)

Hi Robin: Thanks!!

Hi Anne: I shall be a very rich cabernet in my old age! Thanks for the compliment!

Hi Cheryl: I plan to enjoy my whole day. I've had two lovely long chats with my long distance friends and I'm heading downtown to see the new art museum after I get dolled up.

Hi Steve: Thank yo for the invitation. I shall check it out. :-)

Gwen Hernandez said...

Well said, Christine. It's the age of our mind that matters. Have a wonderful day. Wish I could be there to take you to lunch!

Christine said...

Hi Gwen: Me, too! That would be so much fun. As it is, I am flying solo till the family turns up after work and school. Heading out to play now :-)

Katherine Bone said...

Coming to the partay late, Christine! I hope you've had a fabulous birthday, one which you will remember always.

Growing older beats the alternative, right? LOL! Aging is in the mind. I still feel like I'm 19, though I certainly have a better gauge on my mortality, what I can or should not do nowadays. But life should be lived with a sense of youthful joy.

Enjoy your day!

Christine said...

Hi Kathy: Yes, I don't bungee jump or parachute out of planes, but I still ride the coasters. :-)