Getting Older Means Getting Better: Why I Don't Mind Having Birthdays

 I Can't Believe It! I am 49. I simply cannot believe I am that number. My goodness, first I find out I'm going to be a grandmother and then in the same year, I turn 49. EEK! 

Okay, truth be told, I'm not really freaking out-after all, my darling handsome spouse is going to be a grandfather and he's turning the big 5-0 right after the first of the year. He's being pretty cool about it as well. I think it's because his latest stint as Mr. Mom/breadwinner (I broke my foot almost 3 months ago) has left him so exhausted he hasn't had time to really acknowledge that he's about to hit the half-century mark.

What is it about birthdays that make us sometimes wax nostalgic? One of our bridesmaids, a wonderful lady that I danced through many a class and show with during our college years, and I (of course my hubby will be in attendance) are finally getting together for the first time since our wedding. I mention this in context with the first sentence of this paragraph mainly due to the fact that at this moment I can only imagine how much we will be able to catch up on during maybe a two hour dinner! Let's face it, if I consider a yearly event such as a birthday a time to reminisce imagine what not seeing a chum from pre-married woman days can evoke? I'm sure our time as sassy college students at Cal State Fullerton will be discussed. My husband didn't really know my bridesmaids very well, so I'm sure he'll listen to some of these stories with pricked up ears. Although I've talked about my years as a dancer, my husband has only actually seen me on a stage once and that was 18 years ago. So he'll probably hear some things about me he never imagined. Or maybe he has....

Another friend, whom I've known since age 5 1/2, was explaining to me that she feels more secure and in tune with herself and is actually looking forward to turning 50 next May. Of course, she's also a newlywed (hey, 3 years is pretty new) and recently changed her profession which entailed her starting her own business, so she has a lot to work on and anticipate. I can relate to the more secure feeling.