Posts that led to a blog: Turning 40

You know those girls on the beach that you notice for all the wrong reasons? The ones who should really rethink their bikini or become more intimate friends with their razor? Well, I used to think they were out of touch with reality, but the older I get, the more I’m starting to admire them! So, metaphorically, I am hoping in my 40’s to be less inhibited and let it all hang out (again, metaphorically speaking – you will not catch me in a bikini for the rest of my wrinkled existence, for the good of humanity and the dignity of my children). I tried to keep my birthday under the radar (but I’ve been getting birthday wishes all day, so my efforts failed) because, while I am blessed beyond imagination, I have been approaching 40 with trepidation. I am not the kind of person who will shy away from self-reflection, but 40 has just been a big ol’ reality check that my life is half over and it’s time to take stock and accept a new phase of life. Over the years, I’ve been letting go of lots of things (fast metabolism, ability to stay up past 10 pm) and slowly incorporating new things like spanks, comfortable shoes and shopping for what I now like to call “classic” clothing. But I can’t say that I’m EMBRACING aging as I had hoped I would. There are lots of emotional and spiritual benefits to getting older, but I can’t think of one benefit of physically aging. I’ve never met a woman who looks forward to menopause. But I also don’t want to become some whiny old woman who lets my longing stand in the way of my living. I’ve been talking to the Lord about all of this in great detail and He is helping me sort it all out. I’m just glad to be here! Middle age . . . here I come . . . slowly, in my minivan, rockin’ my comfortable shoes . . . but here I come! Thanks for all the birthday wishes! Sorry for the long FB post.