Thursday, April 2, 2009

Make a Wish...

I could go on and on about my birthday, telling you how appreciative I am to celebrate it, how blessed I am with family and friends, and how I will try to make every day count in the year to come.

But really, who wants to hear all that poppycock?

What I'm really aware of lately is how the perception of who you are changes as you get older -- both in society and within yourself. It's surreal how I can feel like the same person who thought being young and invincible would last forever but know the rest of the world sees me living my minivan-driving, scale-watching, unrecognizable life as a -- dare I say middle-aged -- wife and mother of three.

Here are some random observations I've made in recent days...
• The days of being the youngest person at work with a big, bright future ahead of me are so far gone, I'm now more of a senior citizen.
• Colorful stories of the night before have been replaced with phrases like "when I was your age..."
• When the bagger at the grocery store asks if I need help out, it's no longer just because it's part of the script. He actually thinks I might need help out.
• I find myself assuming that 20-something moms must have been part of some child-bride cult. They're just so darn young!
• My 20-year reunion is an actual event and not some futuristic joke like flying cars and robot maids.
• I walk on cloud nine if I'm referred to as "Miss" instead of that dreaded "Ma'am"
• When young people curse in front of me, they apologize.
• Hmmm... suddenly the idea of Botox doesn't seem to be that crazy.
• The oldies station plays tunes I remember as hits.
• That I stop at the oldies station.
• That I remember birthdays my dad celebrated that weren't so much older than I am, my baby brother is old enough to land jets, and that I'm actually going to be a great aunt.

Let me know if the clock of life has you noticing anything different. And if you're too young to know what I'm even babbling about, go to bed. I'm not talking to you today.

6 comments:

The Family K. said...

Happy birthday!

If it makes you feel better, I've started busting out the Olay Regenerist. Huh... all this nonsense about Asian skin being wrinkle-free...

momwithfaithandhope said...

I'm with Judy K. Using night CREAM instead of some light weight lotion is a part of the regimen now. And as I sit it the waiting room of the OB, appointment after appointment, I can't help notice all the young moms with their boyfriends or DH's accompanying them. I tell Darryl to stay home - BTDT. I remember the day when I used to plan my whole outfit out head to toe, do my nails, and feel really great walking out of the house - ahem, now, if I can get up, and dressed with clothes that aren't wrinkled it's a miracle. I've convinced myself that nails don't need to be painted, hair doesn't need to be colored, and masks and other beauty treatments, all completely unncessary. . .I mean, well, I'm happy with a 15 minute shower by myself! Love your post - really do.

momwithfaithandhope said...

Oh GEEZ, and by the way, HAPPY BIRTHDAY! See, now my memory is going too!

Pam said...

I'm on the Olay Regenerist wagon too, how funny! I'm deathly afraid to see what my hair would look like without being colored anymore. I actually get out of bed with some aches and pains and have recently added a few sounds too.If I get out the door with my hair blow dryed it's a stellar day. A majority of my co-workers were born in the decade I started high school. And my favorite music, the 80's, is now "retro" cool.
Happy Birthday to my younger sis-in-law, you still look like a "Miss" to me.

Expecting Good Things said...

Happy Birthday! I loved reading your 'random observations'. They made me laugh. :)
Holli

Ramona said...

I'm going to my sleep number bed because I'm too young to relate to this.