53 Is Behind Me!

WOW! What a weekend! I love celebrating birthdays, not just mine, but the birthdays of those I love as well. But this weekend, was set aside just for me!

From Friday through today (my birthday is a multi-day event) everything was simply outstanding! First was dinner with my hubby and friends on Friday night. Then Brunch with my Besties on Saturday and the grand finale was Sunday dinner with our children and their significant others. Every gift was so carefully selected! My friends and family put so much thought into finding the perfect gifts for me, and they all succeeded. What a wonderful blessing!

It has taken every person that ever entered my life to bring me where I am today. I would like to think from every encounter, no matter how I felt in the moment, I walked away with something valuable. As I reflect back, I was able to analyze those situations and see the good in the bad. See, I truly Live With Intention! I strive to learn something new daily, put forth an effort to make a stranger smile and help someone along in this journey called life.

When I awoke this morning, I was no longer 53. Feeling excited, joyful and realizing how Blessed I am, I’m officially ready for this next chapter. The beginning of my mid 50’s was here…54 had arrived! And I am so happy with this! As I reflect back on the past I think about the path that got me here. This journey called life! My birth family, the family that I created, my friends (old and new), my career path and my walk with Christ. In everything I see Strength! I see Maturity! I see Wisdom!

See, I don’t miss my 20’s: Just getting married, living in a new city, starting a family and not knowing what was next.
Nor do I miss my 30’s: Those good old days of Corporate America jobs, rushing through Atlanta’s traffic to pick up the kids before late fees were assessed, the PTA meetings, ripping and running all over the city with my kid’s schedules and their hormonal teenage years that almost drove me crazy.
And my 40’s: Whew! They certainly delivered a life lesson that changed the course of my path…I thought! Uncertainty! Heartbreak! Confusion! Disappointment! Lots of Tough Lessons Learned!
But God!
So now at 54 – Life is not a breeze but I certainly find comfort in knowing that I am at peace with where I am in life. This peace comes from my Faith in God and knowing that everything happens for a reason and everything will be okay! Understanding that true friendships can be better than some family relationships. Learning that life is short and I need to utilize my time effectively. I learned to stop explaining myself when I realized that people only understood from their level of perception. That it’s okay to think differently about any situation. And finally that there is beauty in every battle and God keeps His Promises.

So this simplifies my life. It allows me to inhale ALL the beauty that surrounds me. It allows me to appreciate my husband for the wonderful man he is. It allows me to truly enjoy my adult children. It affords me the opportunity to honor my Mother and the wonderful example she’s been for me as a beacon of womanhood and motherhood. To enjoy my siblings and the relationships we share today. And to cherish my girlfriends and the time we spend together.

This is what I’ve learned at 54, and I cannot wait to see what this year has in store for me. God has been good to me and I’m so grateful for His many blessings.

I’m So Excited!

Platinum Highlights…”Gracefully Embracing the Grey”
Seasoned, Unique and Still Beautiful!