Monday, November 21, 2011

Thirty-eight again


Photobucket

Last Thursday I finally turned 38.

I say finally because I have inadvertently been telling people for the past two years that I am 38. I didn't do it on purpose; I genuinely forgot how old I was and kept thinking I was 38. A few weeks prior to my birthday, I paused and wondered if I was finally going to turn 39 or 40 this year, as it seemed that my thirty-eighth year was really dragging on and on. Calculating my actual age led me to realize my mistake.

After having a good laugh, I decided it is quite telling.

It shows how unimportant the numbers of your mid- to late-thirties are. You're not quite to the forties, and just somewhere in the middle of the thirties, and all rather meh when it comes to years. I don't feel old; yet I don't delude myself into thinking that I am still a little young thing. I am just me. Plugging along happily, living my life, and hoping to eventually drop those 20 pounds I keep meaning to lose, but never seem to care enough to actually give up the food it will require to do so.

I am way more confident than I was in my twenties - both as a mother, a wife, and a friend. My kids are older and much more independent, making them, quite frankly, a lot more fun. I have all day to myself to work, shop, or meet friends for lunch. I happily indulge in an afternoon matinee at the theater and feel no guilt whatsoever. Those books I always intended to read actually get read.

I feel very at home in my skin. I've accepted the inevitability of the stretch marks staying for life, and, quite honestly, I have decided it's the least of my worries when it comes to my body. I work out, but have sort of given myself permission to eat, too. At 38, I have noticed the wrinkles becoming more prominent, but they are not quite concerning enough to act on just yet. Besides, I know my forties will be all about the botox anyway.

I am still slightly schizophrenic when it comes to loving my freckles, however.

But all in all, I am happy. I am experienced enough to be confident in my positive contributions to the world. I am not afraid to try new things and I still know there is a lot for me yet to learn and do. I know it is better to be full of love and forgiveness than to harbor hate and resentment. I know the value of a good friend, and feel my life richer for the beautiful women who I am blessed to know - both near and far.

I think that the thirties and I have done just fine together.

Here's hoping the rest of the decades are just as accommodating.

If not, maybe I'll just keep saying that I'm still 38.

*****


P.S. Awesome things to note in my birthday photo: The coconut cake. If you have not made it yet, please do. It is life changing. And totally worth every bite of its 9,000 calorie self. The diet coke in a goblet? Courtesy of my children. Making their mama's caffeine addiction classy since 1998. The sweater? Courtesy of WHBM. My current favorite place to shop for all things ruffles.

22 comments:

Karey said...

Happy birthday! I'm glad your 30s are being good to you. I'm in the 40s and am learning how to make the most of them and most of the time I don't feel much older than I did ten years ago.

By the way, I love that you erred on the side of older. That says a lot about you.

Tristan said...

I'm so glad you had a good birthday! I am blessed to call you my friend! Love ya!

Laurie M said...

Happy Birthday! May you Diet Coke be extra fizzy and your coconut cake be calorie free. Yummo, girlie...I need me some of that cake!

melissa walker said...

Happy Birthday! Thanks for bringing me a few years of laughs and entertainment!

Linsey said...

Happy Birthday, lady!

brooke said...

Happy birthday! I am going to start making my diet coke classy like that.

I love your sweater and basically love everything from WHBM. I have blown the wad there this fall and yet I love every single thing I brought home...a first for me..they make good clothes for women our age...stylish but not too trendy and teenage looking.

This post made me appreciate my thirties too. I kept thinking..yeah, me, too as I read it....love ya!

Cathy said...

Happy birthday!

Thelma said...

Pretty, pretty picture. I hope you had a wonderful birthday.

wilma said...

Been stalking for awhile-- your blog is a favorite of mine. Everything you post is perfect in what you say and how you say it! Hope you had a great birthday!

Lauren in GA said...

Happy, happy 38th, my dear!!

You look so pretty in the picture. I love the highlights in your hair and that sweater is lovely, lovely, lovely.

I love that you are comfy in your own skin.

I clicked onto the link and saw those beautiful onesie cookies you made for that baby shower. They really were little works of art!

Lauren in GA said...

Oh, and I love your necklace, too. I know...it's scary how I study you, huh?

Annemarie said...

You are beautiful. Happy (late) Birthday!

The plates: Pier One...I have them hanging on a wall in my kitchen!

Anonymous said...

happy birthday darlin. love you.

Stefani said...

I used to think my parents were freaks for not knowing how old they were... I now completely understand. But I say happy birthday! Enjoy the cake no matter if you're 38 again because you forgot, or like me, because it sounds better than 45. :)

Anonymous said...

Don't be shocked - your auntie Kim reads your blogs all the time. Maegan tells me I should always comment. Maybe I'll turn over a new leaf. I do give Dan a bad time though because he is so funny.
Anyway - Happy 38th B-day again.
Kim

alanna said...

Happy Birthday friend.
I love your description of your 30's. I'm just coming out of my twenties and it sounds really, really nice. I'm still drowning in diapers and guilt for every moment I indulge in novels.
P.S. I spent my entire 27th year thinking I was 28. I was quite putout when 28 actually came round.

mae said...

Well 38 suits you. You look radiant.

It would be a blast to get together sometime when you're in town.

p.s. I, too, love a good dry diet coke. Too funny.

Joy & Casey said...

Happy Birthday good friend!!! Hope your day was fabulous! I wish I could have been there to eat that cake with you..looks so good...YOU KNOW IF I MADE IT MINE WOULD NEVER EVER EVER LOOK LIKE THAT!!! EVER! Love ya tons!

danandcindy said...

Funny, you act like you are 83.

Lala said...

Happy Birthday Beautiful! Glad you had a great day.

Sarah said...

Hope you ha a great birthdsay!

Bridget said...

Looking beautiful as always, Christie. I love the necklace too. Did you coordinate your sweater/necklace with the cake/candles. Because it made for a lovely photo.