Monday, February 4, 2013

59 Is The New 60, And What I Know For Sure

The thing about turning 59 is that you might as well just get it over with and be 60 already!
Seriously, the whole year will be in anticipation of the big six. oh.
Answering questions like, "What are you going to do for your sixtieth?"
Realizing that you can't fake it anymore, you're "a woman of a certain age."
But hey, it sure beats the alternative!  Right?

So at the risk of sounding like Oprah, here is what I know for sure:

For all you younger people, be thankful that you are 49 still, or 39, or even 29 and stop trying to turn back the clock in an attempt to preserve youth.  You are as young as you will ever be right now.
Embrace it!


I have earned every line and wrinkle on my face!
Laughing with friends and family or frowning when times are bad, even enjoying basking in the sun in my youth, all resulted in a certain facial patina.
Accept it!


I tell myself that if I weighed the same as I did on my wedding day, I would look sick!
They say you put on a pound for every year of your marriage.
True!


It feels good to slow down.  
To stop and smell the roses.
 In my youth, that was just a saying, now it's a reality.  I really do stop and smell the roses.
And oh, how wonderful their scent!
Inhale!


Friends come and go, but at this age, my friends are like family.
If they have hung in there with me and I with them, then they are here to stay.
Cherish them!


My father-in-law, who was orphaned as a child used to say, "All you have is your family."
He was right.  At this age, it's wonderful to see our family expand as our children grow up, marry and have children of their own.  I'm truly grateful!
Ah, the gift of grandchildren.  Who knew it could be this wonderful?
Love!


 Life has a way of surprising us with both wonderful and tragic events.
It takes a long time to realize that we aren't really in control, only how we control how we react to life's surprises.
Be courageous!


The world is becoming scarier and scarier, although I suspect previous generations lamented the same thing.
It can be hard to keep up with the ever changing world, the politics, the technology, social issues, etc., but I try.  I don't want to become a dinosaur!
Stay open!


And finally:
Appreciate the age you are now because 20 years from now, you'll look back at 59 and realize just how young you still were!


A special Happy Birthday wish to my BFF and "twin from another mother."
Look how young we were at 50, thinking we were old! 
Ha, the joke was on us!


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61 comments:

Kathysue said...

Happy Bday D!! I can say with out a doubt, You are not getting older you are getting better!! Life does march along quickly doesn't it? I think you handle your life and friends beautifully. I am so pleased that I can call you friend. Love you bunches, xo Kathysue
PS Funny I did a post on 12 ways to a better life today. With age comes much wisdom!! xo

janet bishop magina said...

Happy Birthday from a 62 year old :)

La Dolfina said...

Great post Dolores!
Happy Birthday to you...

La Dolfina said...

Great post Dolores!
Happy Birthday to you...

Debra@CommonGround said...

Happy Birthday, Delores. I'm right there with you. This is such a great message for all of us no matter what our age!

Rhonda said...

Here, here! Happy Birthday, Delores! And "facial patina"??? I love that!

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Happy Birthday, you look gorgeous. I hope you have a super year and enjoy every minute. I think 59 is sooooooo young. Hugs, Marty

LEVIN said...

Happy birthday mom,,,,
Regard Home Interior

Rebecca said...

Why, Happy Birthday (from one who has crossed the threshold)!

And send me one of those bathroom scales, OK?

AntiqueChase said...

Happy Birthday!! 59 looks good on you!! How true this is.. We look back at pictures and think "Wow, we look so good or so young, why did we not realize it then?"...
I have a scary birthday next year too. but I'll take it any day over the alternative! Go do something young and fun today!

Pinky at Designs by Pinky said...

Happy, happy birthday! I love your attitude!!! I am 65 but love that you pointed out that "you are as young as you are ever going to be"!!! You look fabulous. I just want to try to keep active, learn, and grow forever. Thank GOD I haven't gained a pound for each year we have been married; that would be 45 pounds and on a 5 foot nothing frame I would be HUGE!!!:):) Have a great day. XO, Pinky

gme said...

Happy Birthday!

Katherine said...

Happy Birthday! The father of a friend of mine said all the way through his 60's that he was 'sexty'. You are as young and sexy as you want to be.

Mały Szpicherek said...

Happy Birthday to you.

Almacén de Inspiraciones said...

Happy Birthday to you ...

shell said...

Happy Birthday! What a great post! Yes embrace aging and enjoy every age you are! When I look back, I too think how silly I was to dread turning 50 or 55 or 60-!
And OLD [ long time] friends are the BEST. You can make new friends but you can't make OLD ones.

Unknown said...

Happy birthday! Wonderful post, Delores. I'm a year ahead of you. I think 59 was worse than 60 because of the anticipation. But I'm just happy to still be here! (And to be a little wiser.) And isn't it the truth, family is what you've got. My 25 year old is learning that lesson, and I'm so glad she's getting it young. BTW, you look marvelous!

Sarah said...

Happy Birthday, Delores! You look terrific! I'm ahead of you. Got my MC card in January. Ha! I do have face patina. That doesn't bother me, though a few other things do. '-) But it is what it is, so we might as well embrace it. Life is good! Enjoy your birthday.......Sarah

Pat@Life At Lydias House said...

Happy birthday, Delores! Thanks for keeping it real. I get so tired of seeing women of age trying to look and act like 20 year olds instead of grwoing old gradefully! Thanks for the encouragement!

The French Hutch said...

Hello beautiful! Well said! I'm hearing sixty is the new fifty, hey I'll buy that. It's all in your mind I think. It's all about family and friends and living a healthy lifestyle and appreciating and being thankful for what we are. I am so thankful!

Happy Birthday
~Emily
The French Hutch

kallen1105 said...

Happy Happy Birthday!!! Hope you had a wonderful day. I'm right behind you (59 in Nov) and I could't agree with you more!! You're beautiful inside and out!

Carol S. said...

I love having wise friends like you. Nice pictures of you at 60 and 50. Also have plenty of facial patina, though mine are bothersome (dark sun spots.) Will be reflecting on your messages today, really love this post. HAPPY BIRTHDAY BEAUTIFUL LADY.

Marlis said...

Happy Happy birthday.. another thing about 59.. people think you might be not telling the truth about your age. An you don't look a day older than 20 years ago.. Great great post! I am staring the big 60 in the face in 9 months.. sort of looking forward to it. If I weren't this age, I wouldn't have the wisdom, the personality nor the blessings I have now! xo marlis

Sue said...

Happy Happy Birthday Delores! I'm right behind you:-)
Enjoy your day!
Sue

Donnamae said...

Happy Birthday! Great post...we do seem to get wiser as we age...and better! Enjoy your day! ;)

Sunflower Days said...

Happy Birthday....and what a pretty 59 you are! Hope your day is all you want it to be! Pamie G.

Ming said...

HBD2U! My hubby turns the big 6-ohhhh on the 15th! I have several years before I catch up... he robbed the cradle with me! :) Enjoy your day and thanks for the nice post!

Mary Ann Pickett said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! You are so wise. As I write this there is an Ad Choices ad about Face Lifts beneath your comments...ha! what great targeting. But it true...they are laugh lines. All the best!

FABBY'S LIVING said...

You look amazing! Getting to be 60 is no biggie, you still look amazing, take from the one that knows!! I was 60 last Oct. Happy and blessed birthday pretty girl.
Fabby

Dovecote Decor said...

Happy, Happy Birthday!! You look terrific and I envy your little highland lassies!
Best,
Liz

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday Dolores! I really enjoyed your lovely inspirational photos. Like a fine wine, I hope you continue to only get better as the years go on!
Inessa Stewart

Rachel said...

Happy Birthday! You look mahvelous, dahing.

cindy hattersley design said...

What a delightful post! Happy Birthday...I am one year behind you. Would you want to be any younger? Not me!

Scribbler said...

Happy Birthday, and may I too say, you look mahvelous dahling. I turned 67 last August, and I would actually like being 59 again. Actually I think turning 59 bothered me more than 60, because as you so aptly noted, you worry how close you are getting to 60. Now 70 is looming!

Olive said...

You have a marvelous attitude. Bless you on you special day.

Jaybird said...

Well then, Happy Birthday!!!! You are way behind me, and it's pretty good up here too :^) Keep on keeping on!
Blessings to you,
J

Leslie Harris said...

Delores, what a fantastic message. You speak for so many of us out here with your wise words. Have a wonderful birthday my friend,
Leslie (aka Gwen Moss)

Anonymous said...

Boy did this post come at the right time. Just last night I went to bed bitching about turning 50 this year and that half my life was over. Now I'm thinking it's time to figure out just how to enjoy the next 50 on my own terms! BTW, you look stunning. Happy Birthday.

Terri~terrileeauthor said...

Happy Birthday Delores!!! And how wonderful to share your birthday and birth year with your best friend. Double blessings.
There is much to reflect on in this post and I suspect I will look at it more than once.
Have a great day. :)

Sheila said...

You look great.
You are so lucky to not yet have the neck wattle thing. I think it's just the most aging worst thing. I plan on removing mine soon.

Orlando Designs said...

Hi! Im probably one of your younger and maybe one of few male (GAY lol) followers. I have been coming to your blog for 2 years and have enjoyed your post. Congrats on your Birthday may life bring you everything that is beautiful and meaningful. :-)

Pura Vida said...

ah dear woman...you are so beautiful and your age is only part of how pretty you are and guess what...you will get even better than this...this is what I know!

Monica said...

Happy birthday and I also love the wording facial patina!!!

Cynthia S. said...

Happy Birthday, Delores!
Loved your blog today. Everything you said was SO true - and I am 61.
Have a wonderful day and thanks for blogging!

Leslie said...

Happy Birthday Dolores!

What a fantastic attitude you have. I'd love to mention you on one of my #linesallowed posts. If you are interested let me know. I have a new post up today if you want to check it out.

xxLeslie
www.trouverlesoleil.blogspot.com

Melissa said...

Happy 59th Delores. You look marvelous. Not too many wrinkles so there must have been more smiles than frowns.
I love the saying about what people think about your body shape or wrinkles,"Those who mind don't matter, those who matter don't mind"!

the wild magnolia said...

Happy Birthday....i do not know your personally, however turning 59 is a big deal, and really fun. The Big 60 is amazing.

Freedom.

Karen said...

Delores,
Happy Birthday. Sage wisdom. I have made that magic number and I have never felt better...for many of the reasons you've listed. Have a glorious year.
Karen

Rose of Sharon said...

Happy birthday! You look marvelous! You have such a young attitude and you are beautiful!

Hugs, Sharon

Melanie said...

Happy birthday! I turned the big five-oh last August and it was very hard for me. I still have a hard time saying I'm 50. It sounds so "old".

I love your necklace where you're wearing the pumpkin-colored sweater. It's beautiful...is it diamonds?

Kathy said...

Happy Birthday. You look wonderful, not your age. I just turned 60 in December and have to say, it really was a milestone. But i remember the year I was turning 50, my sister 47 years old was dying and she said, be so happy Kathy that you can turn 50. That always stays with me, so everyone embrace each new year,
Happy Birthday

The Polka Dot Closet said...

Happy birthday, I love all you said. I laugh when I used to think I was fat and old....Look at me now LOL! The best thing I have ever heard about aging was that we should be happy to grow old, since so many people never get that privilege!.

Carol

LC said...

What a lovely post! Happy birthday and may I just say, you look fabulous for 59!

Things and Thoughts said...

Happy birthday Delores!!! You don't only seem but you are really great!Be healthful and don't ever loose this smile.
Love
Olympia

kathyr said...

Happy Birthday! What a tremendous post. There is nothing classier than growing older gracefully.

Victoria said...

Happy birthday, Delores. I remember 59...vaguely. I love your list. So true.
Best...Victoria

Low Tide High Style said...

Happy Birthday Delores! And so well said about aging, it is just a number and we can embrace it or fight it, but either way it is what it is! I hope this is your best year ever!

Kat

Dianne said...

I don't comment often but I am here everyday reading your words and enjoying the decor. I hope your birthday is as amazing as your attitude. Happy day!

Anonymous said...

Happy belated birthday!! 59 is still young!! Enjoy your energy NOW!!
You look fabulous and are still clearly full of life!

cottage farm villa said...

First, you don't look 59 .... and second...each time I visit your blog I feel like we are soul sisters. This one hit me so much that I finally decided to comment! Happy Birthday from a 56 year old~

Barbara Bussey {The Treasured Home} said...

What a beautiful post! I don't get to spend as much time keeping up on my favorite blog friends, since opening the shop two years ago...but having turned 60 recently, it was a post filled with wise words. My new mantra is, "this is as good as it will ever be...enjoy it, celebrate it, embrace it!". Attitude, fittness, adventure, love at home and a few close friends. What else do we need?
Blessings to you,
Barbara

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