MATURE THEME

Happy birthday to me next Tuesday!  Old age isn't so bad when you consider the alternative.  And some days the alternative sounds good too!

Life isn't tied with a bow but it's still a gift. 

~ ~ ~ 

Any day above ground is a good day.

Celebrate is a good word for birthdays at any age.    Attitude is the key.  There are perks for being old. . .MATURE!

• There's nothing left to learn the hard way.
• Your eyes won't get much worse.  (Lasik is wonderful!)
• Your investment in health insurance is finally beginning to pay off!
• Kidnappers are not very interested in you.
• In a hostage situation, you are likely to be released first.
• You have a party and the neighbors don't even realize it.
• No one expects you to run into a burning building.
• You can join AARP.
• People call at 9 PM and ask, "Did I wake you?"
• Folks no longer view you as a hypochondriac.
• Things you buy now won't wear out.
• You enjoy hearing about other people's operations.
• You can eat dinner at 4 PM.
• You've reached the age where happy hour is a nap.
• You get into heated arguments about pension plans.
• You no longer think of speed limits as a challenge.
• You sing along with the sleepy elevator music.
• Your joints are more accurate meteorologists than the national weather service.
• Your supply of brain cells is finally down to manageable size.
• Your secrets are safe with your friends because they can't remember them either.
• You quit trying to hold your stomach in, no matter who enters the room.

If you're wondering my age, I'll let Doug fill you in on that but you'll need to do a little math after this next section.  Two years ago in a blog I wrote the following:

“Old age isn’t for sissies.” I’ll add that a good sense of humor also helps as we age.

Doug’s always been complimentary and thoughtful. He gave me three, count them…THREE surprise parties for my 60th birthday a couple of years ago. I think he was most proud of pulling off the surprise element, not that easy to do with me. But come on! Who’d expect more than one party birthday week? He’s good.

The next Sunday at church service he introduced a new praise song, “This is Your House.” We both wear head mikes. Mine was live since I sing and play from the piano. As I played the introduction he gave an impromptu mini-message:

“This is God’s house and we sing to Him, an audience of One. Just like last week my wife returned to our house to find the faces of many old friends and family there to surprise her, to honor her. She was home but also the guest at her 60th birthday party…”

“I can’t believe you just told the whole church how old I am!” Did I just say that out loud?  Through the house speaker and monitors? His head spun my way, wide–eyed. Yep. I must have said it out loud, forgetting my mike was on.

Men cringed. Women gasped. Pastor Mike laughed! Doug blinked rapidly, stared at the congregation and asked if anyone would let him go home with them today. I really didn’t mind telling my age. How could I after three parties? Still…men don’t announce their wives’ age publicly. Glad he doesn’t know my weight."

~ ~ ~  

We still laugh at that one and he gets ribbed about it.

Figure out how old I am yet?  If so, leave it in Comments but don't tell!  Let's just keep it between us.

Aging gratefully,

Kathy