I hit yet another milestone birthday this week and am now forced to admit I’m middle-aged. Which sounds worse, 50 years old or half a century? Yes, I’m officially over the hill. How do I know? I now qualify for an AARP card.
Things have changed a lot since I was born. In 1968 minimum wage was $1.60 an hour, the average yearly income was $7,850 and the average cost of a new house was $14,950. In 1968 the first McDonalds Big Mac sold for 49 cents, gas was 34 cents a gallon and a movie ticket cost $1.50.
I don’t feel 50, but both my parents and my birth certificate assure me that I am. I don’t feel old, but society perceives me that way. Would I want to be in my 20s again? Definitely not, but 30s would be okay.
Even though I don’t feel my age, the mirror is no longer my friend; I don’t recognize the person looking back at me. Wrinkles are steadily becoming a little clearer and everything is becoming a little saggier. I don’t have to color my hair yet, but I did find one gray strand in there a few years ago. I’m pretty sure there’s more where that came from. I still get carded on occasion, but I fear that will soon be coming to an end.
I looked over at my husband the other day and was shocked to see his dad. I wonder if he’s started seeing my mom when he looks at me?
My eyes have let me down, I have to wear glasses when I read now. I keep losing them but I’m not ready to start wearing them on a chain around my neck.
My metabolism has let me down. My pants are getting tight, so apparently, I can’t eat as much as I used to be able to, but I’m not quite ready to give up chocolate.
My energy has let me down. Although I’ve never been an early riser, I used to be able to get up, go to work, come home and take care of my family, stay up late and then start all over again the next day. Now I drag myself out of bed in the morning and don’t start feeling energized until noon. There are days when it feels like I’ve accomplished a whole lot of nothing.
I worry about things I didn’t worry about before. Will I have a mid-life crisis or is that only a problem for men? Do I need to cut my hair or at least start wearing it up? When is a person supposed to get the old lady hairstyle? Do I need to stop shopping in the junior’s section? Is it too late to finally get the tattoo I designed?
It’s time to admit I’ve peaked and it’s all downhill from here. Even so, I’ve earned these years, I’m not going to dismiss them. They helped make me what I am today. I’ve had a good run so far and am looking forward to what life has to offer next.
Midlife makes us stop and think about where we’ve been and where we’re going. Although far from perfect, my life has been blessed. I’ve been married to the same man for nearly 30 years, I have three amazing kids and good friends and family. We’re employed, we’ve paid off our mortgage, we can afford what we need and are able to take vacations. What more does a person really need?
I’ll admit, I do bemoan my lost youth, but there are benefits to getting older. I don’t care as much what other people think. I have a higher sense of self-worth. I have a lot more wisdom and a lot more patience.
Along with all of that, in a few more years I’ll start qualifying for senior discounts.
Growing older isn’t a choice, it happens whether we want it to or not. Age is a state of mind. I’m ready for the next chapter, I still have a lot to look forward to.
