Today’s my birthday – again. I’m lucky to say I have lived another year.
I like to share a ‘Marla’s Musings’ post on my birthday, so I can remind myself – and remember well – the past year I just experienced. The good, the bad, the ugly. Looking back though, this past year was truly almost ALL good.
I’m now in the last year of my 60’s. Good lord, I never thought about being here when I was young! But, fortunately, I have good genes (thanks Mom and Dad) and I am blessed to live a life of comfort. I don’t want to ever forget about my ‘luck in life’ in being born into a family that raised me well, and, then that I went on into adulthood without making any major stumbles.
Lately, because of my aging, I have been thinking more and more about my memories, the ones I have – and also the ones I wish I had. Sometimes I go to bed at night, lay there, and try to see in my head my earlier self and my life at a certain younger age. Like, when I was a child. What were the important events? What has stuck in my brain all the years through??? I try to remember when my memories first started to be retained. How old/young was I? I think about the various stages of my life. As a kid, the school years, then a teenager, on to young adulthood, to college and to my first jobs, to the early marriage years, and then raising our daughters. I even think about my middle age years now.
Ok. Yes! I still think of myself as ‘middle aged.’ Most days I usually still ‘feel’ middle aged, physically and mentally. I know the importance of taking care of myself. I also know ‘but for the grace of God go I.’ I’m hearing more and more often of people I know (or don’t know) who have died at my age, or younger. All our days are numbered. We just don’t know the number.
This past year has been a joy due to the experiences I have had with my hubby, and with my daughters and their families, and with some girlfriends. Even the pets. I am basically a homebody and I am quite content in my daily life patterns. I love where I live in these ‘middle aged’ years. I did a lot of moving prior to life here, and it really widened my horizons, and made me able to experience many places, people, and situations. I think it made me more open to accepting differences. I don’t regret any of the moves (even to New Jersey – ha!), and I would not change a thing. Really.
I truly do not have any regrets. I have no ‘dreams unfulfilled’ or disappointments. I know not everyone can say that.
So, this year is starting off on a good foot. Today, my birthday, I have good health. I truly know how important that is. I have lots of things that interest me and that keep my brain challenged ( lots of music activities, linedancing, reading, crosswords and other games.) My mind is set on staying current and relevant, even if it’s hard to hear the news. I use my voice and my musings to ‘let it out’ and to stop myself from going crazy. I try to worry less – and to live in the moment more. I don’t want a permanent tattoo, but right now I have a temporary tattoo on my arm that says ‘be present.’ It’s a reminder for me to be open, to be here and now.
I have strong faith. Still. Even with all the false, misguided, conspiracies and tragic changes happening in our country. I know being a “Jesus Christian” is not easy at times. I feel it is important to provide an example of it, to be kind, to stand firm though. I fall short on what God asks of me, but I try. I want younger people to not turn away from religion. I want to show how belief in God’s love for us, His forgiveness, His promise, are truly the rock, the foundation, the hope that we need – especially as we age. He is the way to peace.
Today is a happy birthday for me. ❤️
Marla’s Musings 