I turned 40 today.
When I was a child, I used to think, "In the year 2000, I will be 32. I will have a perm and three kids." Don't ask. Now it is 2008. I didn't need to think beyond 2000 because that was just way too far into the future, though I did wonder if I would be wearing some sort of silver jump suit. No jump suits here.
What is it about entering a new decade that seems to freak us all out? Why do I care? 30 was actually a good year. I was relieved to be 30. But 40. Man, that sounds like I should totally have my crap together. That is a grown up age. There is no excuse and yet, at a time like this, I can't seem to recall anything significant that I have accomplished in my life. Hence there is sense of panic. It's totally irrational. How could I be 40? I'm soooooo immature. There are so many things I don't know how to do. Wasn't I supposed to have done about 25 things I didn't get to? I see people on TV and suddenly most of them are younger than I am. And everyone in their 40s look OLD!! I keep looking for those who look "good for their age" and coming up empty. Where are my people? What is going on? What happened to my 30s? Did I have a good time? I go into a drama spiral of operatic proportion, then Philip yanks me out of it.
"You have spent your 30s with me, and you had a daughter before you turned 40." Right. Good. Deep breath. Panic subsiding.
Philip made me a pancake breakfast, then he showered me with nice gifts, then we all went to the zoo and got a family membership. Then we went to my favorite restaurant and ate about 50 pounds of sushi.
It was a glorious day.
40 is the new 30. Apparently 50 is the new 35, which makes 60 the new 37-1/2. Whatever. I'll just be what I'll be.
But still, I should be smarter, or something.
When I was a child, I used to think, "In the year 2000, I will be 32. I will have a perm and three kids." Don't ask. Now it is 2008. I didn't need to think beyond 2000 because that was just way too far into the future, though I did wonder if I would be wearing some sort of silver jump suit. No jump suits here.
What is it about entering a new decade that seems to freak us all out? Why do I care? 30 was actually a good year. I was relieved to be 30. But 40. Man, that sounds like I should totally have my crap together. That is a grown up age. There is no excuse and yet, at a time like this, I can't seem to recall anything significant that I have accomplished in my life. Hence there is sense of panic. It's totally irrational. How could I be 40? I'm soooooo immature. There are so many things I don't know how to do. Wasn't I supposed to have done about 25 things I didn't get to? I see people on TV and suddenly most of them are younger than I am. And everyone in their 40s look OLD!! I keep looking for those who look "good for their age" and coming up empty. Where are my people? What is going on? What happened to my 30s? Did I have a good time? I go into a drama spiral of operatic proportion, then Philip yanks me out of it.
"You have spent your 30s with me, and you had a daughter before you turned 40." Right. Good. Deep breath. Panic subsiding.
Philip made me a pancake breakfast, then he showered me with nice gifts, then we all went to the zoo and got a family membership. Then we went to my favorite restaurant and ate about 50 pounds of sushi.
It was a glorious day.
40 is the new 30. Apparently 50 is the new 35, which makes 60 the new 37-1/2. Whatever. I'll just be what I'll be.
But still, I should be smarter, or something.





Comments
Erika
Anyway, happy 40th, and let's make a zoo date!!!
-heather, brian & sophie
Give it a few months..you'll settle into 40 then you'll love it. Being 40 means saying whatever you want to whomever you want and never apologizing (well mostly never). Being 40 means you say NO with no explanation. It's a great time! You will love it. You are smart, you are beautiful...
love you
Gibs
Much love to you and your family,
Jen
love to the family