Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Life begins at 40...

- but so do fallen arches, rheumatism, faulty eyesight, and the tendency to tell a story to the same person, three or four times." quote by Helen Rowland


RM took that picture the day I turned 40 years old. It's hard to believe that RM and I have been together since I was 20 years old and here were are- still together 20 years later.

When I met RM, I thought I was a very wise person. I believed that I had my act together- boy, was I wrong! I thought at 20 years old there was nothing left to learn about life, because I knew it all. Thank goodness I was wrong!

At forty years old, I've learned many great life's lessons. Here are just a few of them:

My sister wanted to celebrate my milestone birthday with me and came a week early before my actual birthday. She asked me how many people I wanted to invite for my birthday dinner. I knew I just wanted a girls night out and it would have been easy to invite a lot of women. But I realized I just wanted a low keyed dinner with a few close friends.

Lesson #1: "It's more important to have quality friendships than the quantity". I have many good acquaintances and only a handful that I call my close friends. I'm lucky that I consider my sister a great friend! (She's the one with the dark hair seated in the back on the left side)



Lesson #2: "Age is just a number and stop worrying about getting older - it's a complete waste of time!" Of course having a milestone birthday isn't complete without the usual gag gifts; denture cleansers, reading glasses....


...and bladder control liners. If I laughed any harder that night, I would have used them!

I have known a few people who turned 40 years old and didn't want to celebrate, instead they moped about getting older. I didn't want to mope on my birthday - every birthday age should be celebrated!



Lesson #3: "It's okay to be silly" I spent most of my life always trying to be something that I wasn't- always trying to please someone. And then I met RM who helped me learn to loosen up and have fun. And we certainly know how to have fun!

To celebrate my birthday, RM and I did something that we haven't done in a very long time - we went out dancing until two in the morning! I felt like I was twenty years old again until the next morning...

Our bodies were aching and sore from the dancing. I had a migraine because I'm not used to going to bed so late and RM had an upset stomach. We could tell that Moe was doing his very best not to smirk at us.


Biggest Lesson of all: Go to bed early- no matter how much fun you're having.


13 comments:

Melinda said...

Happy 40th birthday!! I totally agree with all the things you've learned, all good things!

Kristina P. said...

Happy birthday! Looks like the perfect way to welcome yourself to the world of geriatrics

septembermom said...

Happy birthday!! You look terrific!! I'm so happy that you danced and danced and danced. I'm 42, so you're a youngster to me. LOL.

wendy said...

What a great GREAT birthday.
Seriously....awesome, and great lessons learned as well.
I will be 60 next year, My oldest child is 38.
I am a little wigged out about that ....but life doesn't stop and we just as well roll along with it.

Be grateful every new year gives us an opportunity for more lessons.

Sue said...

It's been my pleasure to watch you grow from that young woman who knew it all, to such a wise and beautiful still-young woman. I marvel at your zest for life, your sense of humor, and your ability to set your priorities.

Lara Neves said...

Happy Birthday! It looks like you had a wonderful night and that you have fabulous (and very funny) friends! :)

Suzanne said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! It's true...women get better looking with age!!

The Crazy Coxes said...

It looks like you had a fabulous birthday! You deserve to celebrate. I love your life lessons too!

Cranberryfries said...

Happy 40th! I love that you celebrated in style!

InWeighOverMyHead said...

You look so beautiful in those pics!

Ashley said...

You went out dancing till 2:00??? I'm so jealous! That sounds SO fun. I can just see you two. You are so darn cute. I don't think I could pay my husband to do that... he is prety much a homebody. and not so crazy about dancing. Happy Birthday!!!!! It sounds like a great one. You know that 40 is the new 20 right?? Just checkin. :)

septembermom said...

Happy Thanksgiving Heather!! Sending you and your family all my best :) -- Love, Kelly

Unknown said...

I'm so late...but can I still wish you a happy year. You look way younger than 40 to me.