“Aging is an inevitable process. I surely wouldn’t want to grow younger. The older you become, the more you know; your bank account of knowledge is much richer.” ~ William Holden

I get reflective around my birthday. It feels like an appropriate time to analyze where I am in life, look back on my personal growth. Today, I’m 44 years old.

A few things I’m loving about being the age I am:

I know more about what keeps me sane, what keeps me healthy, much more of what makes me tick, and how and when to recharge my introvert battery. I’m getting better at recognizing my limits and maintaining healthy boundaries. Physically, I’m stronger than I’ve ever been.

I feel more comfortable in my own skin. One happy side effect of this is that I’ve become more comfortable with people who don’t share my views on life. I like that; it has expanded my world. On the flip side, I feel more like I can be my quirky self and I don’t worry so much about what people think of me.

I’ve realized there’s no prescribed way I have to look or dress just because I’m a certain age. I can wear a two-piece swimsuit if I want to. I can have a funky hairstyle. I don’t have to color my grays. I can wear crazy neon running clothes. I don’t have to botox my forehead and I have no need to fear wrinkles. (It helps to have people like Ms. Betty as inspiration!)

My happy birthday:

It seems many people in their 40’s (and beyond) lament the passing of time, perhaps even wishing to go back to a certain age. I don’t find that true for me. I might like to go back and tell my younger self a few things, but Younger Me probably wouldn’t listen anyway. (She was stubborn.)

I refuse to celebrate any of my birthdays with black balloons. Life is to be celebrated. And so, today, I did that. I started my day practicing a yoga inversion I’ve been working on, then went for a 5-mile run. The weather was absolutely perfect, a fabulous gift for a solared-powered soul like mine.

Meanwhile, Lindsey and crew arrived after driving through the night — and I finally got to meet my soon-to-be son-in-law Quan, and my littlest grandbaby Khloe. Can’t have a better gift than that!!! Neither she, nor her daddy or big sis Annabelle had EVER been to the beach. Khloe rocked the little swimsuit and hat I bought her and was the cutest babe on the beach. Annabelle was entirely fearless in what she called “the big pool.” She immediately decided aunt Scout was her new favorite person. Jem decided Quan was just about the coolest guy he’s ever met. We had a fun day, and now we have tired kids. (One of the most fabulous things about a beach day!)

It’s evening now, and I’m doing some introvert-recharging so I’ll be ready for more family time tomorrow, when Brandon and Diane and the boys come to visit, too!

Jamie

Wife, mom, J-ma. Introvert who enjoys good books, sunshine, and authentic conversation. Often seen with a steaming mug of tea in hand – unless it’s lost yet again in the microwave. Read more »