Middle Age

Last month I had the privilege of turning 40 years old. Most of my friends also turned 40 this year, so together we have crossed over the invisible line into middle agedom. Although, all of my older friends asure me that 40 is really the new 30-blah, blah, blah. It all seems a thinly veiled ploy to convince new 40 somethings that we are not really aging.

However, as I sat on the floor with my 11 year old son this past weekend to play Monopoly, my aching back and knees proclaimed loudly and obnoxiously that I am definitely not 30! Another loud indication that I am no longer 30 occurred when my hairdresser called last night to remind me that I am due for an appointment to cover up my rapidly graying hair. I noticed in recent photos of myself that my once smooth and supple skin is now endowed with fine lines and subtle sags.

Yes, I am 40. There are some negatives to this aging process, no doubt. But, there are also some positives I have been discovering little by little. I am more confident and self-empowered than I was when I was 30. I will shamelessly argue with that 20 year old cosmetic girl who is trying to convince me that I would look good in flourescent, sparkly green eyeshadow! I will boldly make a nasty hand gesture at that 25 year old boy in his souped up mustang who thinks I'm not driving fast enough and dare him to hit me because I know I have better insurance than he does. Being 40also means that I can say "NO" to people about things I don't want to do and not have to feel guilty about it. I love that one!

You know what? I think I'm going to like my 40's. The benefits are looking pretty good. Being 40 may bring with it a lot of freedoms that I couldn't comprehend in my earlier years. I'm grieving the inevitable loss of my young face and body, but at least I'm rewarded with a deeper knowledge of who I am on the inside. So, Middle Age, bring it on, I think I'm ready.