On January 1, 2012 when I woke up and realized I was going to turn 60 on my birthday in May, I immediately started feeling depressed and old. I have not always been someone who stressed over my age. The only time I ever had a bad birthday breakdown was the year I turned 22. The youngest of my three children was three weeks old, so that could very well have been postpartum depression. I cried, no, I sobbed all night long. I remember feeling like I would never do anything other than have babies. As much as I loved and wanted all my children, I wanted more–I wanted adventure, I wanted to accomplish something in my life other than washing bottles and changing diapers.
So when I woke up in a birthday funk in January last year, it was not like me at all, really. It just seemed like being 60 was tragic, like I better hurry up and do something, anything, before my life was over. Then something did happen. I spent my birthday, almost the entire month of May and part of June, in the hospital. I was very ill, and unconscious most of the time, and had surgery on my birthday, so that it was all over before I knew it had even gotten here.
After that experience, I realized that I have accomplished a lot in my life. I brought up three children to be successful adults. I held the same job in corporate America for 20 years, until I was laid off. I was a Girl Scout leader for 8 years, and Service Unit Director for my county for 6 of those years. I went to college when I was 37 and although I didn’t graduate, I made the dean’s list every semester that I attended. My husband and I lived our dream life for 13 years traveling in an RV and living in campgrounds in some of the most beautiful places in the United States. I landed my dream job and was a park ranger at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon for five seasons. I got my adventure, my “more”.
Now that I am approaching my 61st birthday, I have decided that since I didn’t get to celebrate it last year, I want to do something fun this year. I told Fabgrandpa that I want to go to the beach. I want to sink my toes in the sand, I want drink a drink with a little umbrella in it, I want to smell like cocoa butter. I want to go to a seafood restaurant and eat steamed crabs until I pop. And I would like to go deep sea fishing. I have never done that, and I think it would be fun.
The only problem is that I can’t decide which beach to go to. I have considered Pensacola and Amelia Island, both in Florida. Cape Hatteras, North Carolina would be fun. Or Virginia Beach. Or Chincoteague, and I would maybe get to see the ponies, too! And then I thought about going to the Bahamas. Or Aruba. Help me out here–if you could go to any beach in the Atlantic, The Gulf Coast, or The Carribean, which one would it be, and why?
bianca says
my friend went to Antigua for her honeymoon and didn’t want to come back! she said it was that beautiful and relaxing!
I live in NE FL, so I can go to the beach year round. i absolutely st Augustine beach!
Sandra says
I loved Aruba and Curacao. Bonaire is not as big and probably not as much going on but pretty too as is Tortola. Aruba is probably my favourite though.
Martha Russell says
I can understand the call of the beach!! When we lived in Alabama for 2 years we enjoyed going to Gulf Shores. Now that we are in North Carolina we have several beaches we really like, Here they are: Atlantic Beach, Emerald Isle (lots of fishing there), Beaufort which is on the inter-coastal waterways, Oak Island which also has lots of fishing. Most NC beaches have deep sea fishing adventures available. The Outer Banks are lovely too but some have become quite commercialized probably the ones at the North end less so.
I do so hope you get to do this beach trip for your birthday- if has been such a challenging year for your family.
Sheri says
I’m glad you realized what a great person you are and what a great life you’ve had so far. I have never had the pleasure of meeting you in person, but I admire and respect you and I know you have also had a positive impact on the lives of many readers too. I hope you find something awesome to do for your birthday!
Lisa - Between the Kids says
I would love to go somewhere completely off the wall.. out of the way.. where no one else is! Hugs, love! <3<3 You deserve the best time ever! <3<3
Gaelyn says
I loved the Carribean in Mexico for the pure turquoise waters and white beaches. And I went deep sea fishing and ate fresh tuna. But don’t recommend Cancun.
Kimberly says
I LOVE the beach picture Karen! That is gorgeous! After dealing with the miserable Winter weather here in NY I wish I could blink my eyes and make myself appear right at the moment that sunset picture was taken. Howe beautiful!
I love the picture from 78′ and the groovy clothes. 🙂
I love beach too. I burn just thining about the sun, but that doesn’t mean I don’t love being at the beach.
Colleen says
Everything happens for a reason, despite the last year it sounds like it was what you needed to see that you have had a great life.
As a South Florida girl I’m all about the beach.