Thursday, January 7, 2010

It's Happening Whether I Like It Or Not

Today is January 8, 2010. That means in exactly 6 days, I will turn 40. I'm not really liking this concept. And I don't really appreciate the patronizing comments like "Age is just a number" and "You're only as old as you feel." I feel pretty old, given that I have many, many, many gray hairs and many, many, many unwanted facial hairs, I'm overweight, and I have at least 2 body joints that give me chronic pain. I'm just not young any more. Don't try to kid me - no one considers 40 to be young any more - unless they're 80. It's just a fact. I'm getting old and I still want to be young.

I am now supposed to be a sage, a wise older woman who can now serve as a mentor to those younger and more naive than me.

hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahaha!

Most days I still feel like I'm a kid. I mess up all the time, except nobody spanks me now. I often forget these kids runnning around my house are actually my offspring and not my annoying younger siblings, which would explain the bickering and the noogies.

Ok, I don't have much more venting to do. I will just have to work through this gradually.

Thanks for listening.

6 comments:

  1. I'm right behind you :) And pregnant! I am doing pretty good. I turn 40 right around my due date! So much for that "big 40 party at a tropical island" LOL

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  2. Awwww age is just a number...youre only as old as you feel...oh wait, you didnt want to hear that

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  3. Sorry to hear that your having a bad time. I also have a hard time with Birthdays, so I make my mind think I am a year older, so when I get to that age, I am use to it!

    Happy early Birthday and I hope you get to do sonething fun!

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  4. Okay, seriously...here's the thing...where I live (NYC) 40 is no big deal at all...people are so. not. considered old at 40. They just aren't. I promise I'm not making this up.

    Think of Anderson Cooper and his silver hair...I'm unabashedly adore him (as do about 20 million other people) and the last thing that crosses my mind when I think of him is "ugh, he's old."

    I get it..you are your worst critic, blah, blah...but your attitude and acceptance should be at the forefront because when you turn 40, you should get a really big present. I say this because I'm turning 30 this year, and I also want a really big present.

    You're beautiful...and you care about other people -- even strangers. So maybe you'll be 40, but you're not exactly sitting around in an old folks home imparting wisdom on today's youth.

    Growing old is something that we're totally blessed to do..and you have a family and people who admire you across the miles. So don't let 40 get you down...just make it the best. year. ever.

    So you have some pain and extra weight...change that. You're already trying, no? Life is what you make it so make your 40th year one that you can be totally proud of. The more you exercise and eat well, the better you'll feel. And you can go into your 41st year feeling incredible.

    Happy birthday my friend!

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  5. You know, you look pretty good....for your age.

    LOL. Wait until you hear THAT for the first time.

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  6. I was trying to think of something profoundly encouraging to say, Jen but can't quite get it out.

    I guess the part about you being the sage mentor to the younger naive one, well, that'd be me. I check your blog every day, hoping you've posted something. Really.

    You're not a perfect mom; I'm not a perfect mom. Coming to terms with that. You're helping me with that. You comment on your life unabashedly. You don't hold back, hoping for people to only see the positives. My biggest problem is not asking for help. Seems like you've overcome that which inspires me tremendously.

    And while I'm on it, Molly Fountain were talking about you last night. We were talking about school choices and trying to figure it out for our kids. We both thought of you and how you tried homeschooling, then realized God was leading you down a different path. That takes courage and humility to make the right choice for your family.

    I'm also struggling with body issues too. Might sound funny but we all see ourselves not measuring up and comparing ourselves to the superficial beauty the world holds up. I'm striving to hold onto the beauty that I know God sees in me and making sure that's what shine through to those around me.

    And that's what you've done to me, Jen. Can't wait to see what God has in store for you in year 41. Hope to be there on Friday :)

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