Yep, that title is totally misleading but it is clever so I’m keeping it. Today is my birthday and I am turning 50. While I have been wrapping my head around the idea of entering my fifties I am going to share a few thoughts that have crossed my mind.

First of all, ten years ago I posted a rather wallowing post. All about how single people with no children get the shaft when it comes to the shower department. I won’t go into details because I already did. You can read my rant here.

I don’t expect people to actually listen to my complaints but my oldest niece did. She has planned throwing me a shower for 10 years. Her idea was to wait until the next big milestone birthday and that would be today.

So, she is throwing me a shower and most important, I finally got to register for gifts. Which I felt a little self-conscious doing at the beginning but warmed up to the idea. I don’t really care if anyone brings anything, I just had fun going through the registering process.

Second thought I’ve had is when I used to think 50 was old. Thirty-one years ago a movie came out called Death Becomes Her. I have actually been looking for it to watch again because I only remember the basic gist. Meryl Streep and Goldie Hawn were in it playing rivals competing for the affection of a character played by Bruce Willis. They ended up both taking a concoction provided by Isabella Rossellini. The potion would make them live forever but they were warned to take care of their bodies. They did not. Meanwhile, the character of Willis ended up leaving both of them and lived a very full life – starting at the age of 50. Thirty-one years ago when I watched it that seemed like such a far-fetched idea. Life beginning at 50? But, someone would pretty much be half-dead by then, right?

And my third thought on the subject is also something I have written about before. You can read it here. Some people are surprised that I am willing to celebrate turning another year older. You bet I am! I have spent 50 years on this earth living, growing, making mistakes, accomplishing tasks, doing, experiencing, laughing, crying, loving, hurting, relaxing, worrying, playing, and working. I am going to celebrate all of it. Every last scar and wrinkle tells my story. There is only way to stop celebrating life and that is with death. I am not ready for that out yet. So, let’s get together and enjoy our connection we made while on this blue rock.

Those have been my main thoughts as I prepared to exit my forties and begin a whole new decade. Now, if only my body would get the memo and cooperate with some youthful energy. It is not as accepting as my mind and heart is.