Tomorrow I have a birthday. Another year of life will be finished, and a new one starting. My age number will change.
I am turning 62. I am not afraid to say it. I have a small plaque in my bathroom that says “forget your age. Live your life.” And, yes, I try to do that most days. I try to stay positive and I try to continue to do everything I enjoy. I mean – 62 is not old. Right?
When birthdays come around though it is a time to reflect a bit… to think about what happened during the past year and how I handled it. It also is a good time to think about what I hope for the next 365 days to come.
Reflections: I have been fortunate physically. Besides a few back twinges, I have not had serious pain or anything that has hindered or stopped me from doing what I want to do. I was able to get out in the yard and in the sunshine to plant flowers, and to prune bushes. I have been able to go to the CMA Festival and walk everywhere and go to all the concerts all day and night. I could dance and I DID dance! I can get down on the floor this year and play with my grandsons. (And I can get back up! Lol) I can hold them and hug them.
Mentally: I think my brain is still working well, although there might be a few family members and friends who differ with my opinion. Ha ! I love to read and I enjoyed many books this past year. I recently bought a New York Times crossword puzzle book to help my brain. I used to love doing crosswords every day but once we stopped getting newspapers delivered I also stopped getting the daily puzzle. I tried the USA Today one online but discovered that it is not as enjoyable as holding the puzzle on paper and using a pen – yes, a pen! Call me crazy!?! I have gotten in to a bunch of music groups this past year and I know that reading and playing music is good for the brain. It’s also good for the soul!
Spiritually: I’m still on the journey. This past year has been hit or miss I suppose. I have missed too many Bible Study classes. I have not done as much as I could have in ‘living my faith’ and that can be disappointing…. to me, and most likely God. My personal connection with God is still VERY important to me. I really wonder how people who don’t have a belief and have some blind faith make it through each year (each month, each day.) I have found for me that my faith has given me joy, and has given me freedom, and has definitely helped me deal with tough times. God puts miracles (God sightings) in front of us all ths time… when you live knowing that then you see them. It’s God’s love. Shown through others and through aha experiences.
I know who I am more now than at earlier ages. What a good feeling! I have lived long enough now to take my experiences, my knowledge learned, my heart… and know what is right for Marla. I rarely question what is right versus what is wrong. I suppose I can be bullheaded at times but it is because I know what works for me.
I am a very fortunate person because I can look backwards and I have no regrets. None. I can’t think of one thing that I wish I could change from my past. I don’t carry a burden.
So, tomorrow starts a new year. What do I want? I guess tomorrow is like my own personal New Year and a time for resolutions. What do I hope for? What do I want to do?
Well, when you have your health you have the possibility of anything! So, I want continued good health. It doesn’t come automatically anymore. I know I need to take care of my body. More walks. More stretching. Sensible exercise. I need to keep working on accepting the changes in my body, BUT I will continue to color my hair!
I will also continue reading and doing puzzles. By the way, “Words with Friends” is also one of my favorite ways to work my brain. So, many thanks to those who play online with me. Want to play? Sure! I’m for it! Just start a game with me. I worry about my brain sometimes….when words don’t come to me quickly. I forget names. I know how important it is to stay connected and to stay passionate about something… I feel that way about music, and I feel it about certain political issues: gun control, women’s rights, etc. So, I plan to “keep on keeping on” with things that are important to me.
Spiritually: I thank God for another year starting for me, and I know with it comes responsibility. So, this coming year I hope to be an example of God’s love and goodness. I know I’m here as God’s hands. I want to use my time in giving.
So, happy birthday to me! Thank you to those in my life who make my years as they go by so meaningful, and so fun! Thank you to my family for my foundation. To my hubby for unconditional love, to my daughters for giving this mom endless pride. To my friends who accept me as I am.
Another day tomorrow… and the start of another year. Here I go.
Marla’s Musings 
Marla,
First of all, you’ll always be 25 in my mind! And, you look amazing! I just turned 57 and am determined to try and stay as healthy and fit in mind, body and spirit, as possible – God willing.
My faith is more important to me now than ever before. As I get older and experience great joys, along with devastating losses (the passing of loved ones) I sometimes need help in putting things in perspective. Doing the right thing, trying to build people up instead of tearing them down and helping “the least of these” always feeds my soul. However, I too haven’t been as diligent about some things like getting to church on time and have skipped a few church services. But I’m trying to do better!
Funny, neither of us ever discussed our faith when we worked together (I don’t think) but I must have sensed it about you. I knew you were a good person. I trusted you completely and never, ever questioned your intentions. I’m so grateful that God blessed me to have you as my first real boss. You were more like a big sister to me and I will cherish those years with you and the gang at 98Rock forever!
I hope this year brings you lots of happiness, continued health and wellness and more love than you can imagine. All the best to you and Stan, your daughters and your sweet grand babies!
-Paulette
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Paulette, thanks for the sweet words. That time at 98 ROCK was a learning time for us all, and I think I was just trying to work hard to prove that a young woman could do the job. Thankfully Denise Oliver was my role model and she proved that you can be nice, be respectful and respected, as long as you know your stuff. I find it interesting that so many of us have reunited on FB. Just shows how special it was back then! As for my faith back then… I probably didn’t take the time to think about it much then but as the daughter of a pastor I was just born into knowing God. It was ‘normal’ but as I aged it became “extraordinary.” As I wrote in my post ,one good thing about aging is having the time to become more spiritual. Experiences of wonderment! Also sadness but yes, death of loved ones, made me put ‘the rubber to the road’ with my belief. Do I really believe in God? In the Bible’s hope? Yes. Yes I do. My best back to you and your family! And I too wish you an amazing 2019 – whatever you do, wherever you go! Sending lots of love!
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