One month from today, on May 24th, I will turn 60 years old. I am not normally someone who makes a big deal out of my birthday, but I’m having some difficulty acknowledging the fact that I will be SIXTY this year. So, in order to ease into my new decade, I have asked some of my friends to help me. I asked them to write a short essay, talking about what “age” was their favorite age and why. I asked them: What did you accomplish that year? What were your dreams? Did you go somewhere on a trip that left a lasting impression? Did you meet your true love? Did you learn something about yourself that you needed to know? Several of them responded, and I will be posting their stories throughout the next month. Here is the first one, written by Rachel, of Yellow Tennessee:
I have spent the entire weekend racking my brain trying to figure out what my favorite age has been. Like everyone, I have had some amazing experiences in my life that I will never forget. I have also had some horrible experiences in my life that I will never forget.When I was 14 years old I moved with my family from St Louis to South Africa. I spent 2 years there. I met some amazing people, some of who I am still friends with to this day. Of course being a 14 year old girl, if you had asked me then, moving to South Africa was the worst thing that had ever happened to me.Although I didn’t know it at the time, when I was 19 years old, I met the man I was going to marry. He became my best friend in the whole world. We shared some equally amazing times and some not so amazing times in our friendship.I used to think that 20 was my favorite age. It was a good year. There was not a single event that occurred that made it really stand out. But I felt as though I was in a good place. Becoming the type of adult I wanted to be while still being young and carefree.At the age of 28, I married my best friend. This day still goes down in history as one of the best days of my entire life.
When I was 30 years old I had my first baby. My beautiful baby boy. He is hands down the funniest, smartest, most amazing little boy I have ever met.
After almost 4 years of trying when I was 35, I had my second baby. My gorgeous baby girl. This girl is the light of my life. She is awesome and never fails to bring a smile to my face.
As I approach 37 and with my wonderful friend Karen approaching 60, I have spent a lot of time trying to really figure out what my favorite age has been. And to be honest, I cannot come up with one. I have had some years that were marked by incredible experiences. I have become a wife, a mother twice and have had even had the awesome opportunity to become a self employed blogger. I have seen the world and met some of the most amazing people. And I cannot wait to see what comes next. So instead of picking a favorite year, I have to say I am just so thankful to God for an amazing life. Every experience I have had has made me into the woman I am today. So far I wouldn’t change any of it for anything in the world.
Happy upcoming 60th Birthday Karen. Thank you for asking me to be a part of your celebration. I hope you have an amazing year!
If you would like to contribute to this series, please send me an email with your story, a picture or two, and a link to your blog if you have one.
Gaelyn says
I believe Rachel is right, one age may stand out for many reasons, but life is Grand. And isn’t 60 the new 40?