37

On Monday I turn 37 years old. When I was in my twenties being even 30 sounded awful, much less 37... you know, the LATE thirties. My how things change when perspective and hindsight and possibly at least a wee bit of wisdom come your way. I am so grateful and happy to be turning 37. I don't want to be 20 again, or 25 or anything that isn't NOW. I love NOW! I HATE hearing people complain about getting older.... Why on earth would you complain about another year to celebrate life? I don't get it. Every year I get a digit older means another year I've been given to live my life with the ones I adore and to do more! Most of the time what I do is laundry, or change diapers, or make a meal, or do dishes BUT, that just all means I've been given another moment of this short existence we have here to do those things for and with the ones I love the most. I've been blessed in the last ten years to meet and marry the one my heart connects to like no one else and together we have had five amazing children and another arriving in the spring. Ten years ago when I complained about turning 27 and getting "old" I was entirely confused about what an actual joy it is to get "old". I had no idea the exciting life the next ten years would hold for me... you know, the excitement of all those dishes and diapers I mentioned above. Seriously though, it's time and perspective that have taught me that it's not what you do with your time but who you do it with. That's why getting "old" for me has been anything but the "awful" that I thought it would be in my twenties. It's been alive and thriving. Raw and real. It's had highs and lows but WOW, my heart which at 27 felt burdened with worry about getting old now feels younger and livelier than ever! A HAPPY birthday? Yes, it is!