It was my birthday this past Friday and I’ve been thinking a lot about time and its passage. I haven’t written on this blog for weeks because I’ve been busy and suddenly a whole lot of time has gone by without writing. I’ve been working a lot of hours lately and the summer has passed by in a heartbeat. Kids I’ve known and loved since their first days in this world are now young adults. My parents have reached the age of retirement. A majority of the friends in my life have now been with me longer than they haven’t. I’m old enough to be the mother of some of the boys at work. I was feeling quite overwhelmed with the sense that time is gushing past me and I can’t stem the tide.
Although I’m often reflective around my birthday, turning 39 seems to be a milestone of sorts. I began to slow down and think about time and its effect on me. The biggest thing seems to be the realization that I likely won’t have kids. The window is rapidly shrinking and even though some women do have them in their 40s, the likelihood that I am going to be one of those women is pretty low. And the funny thing is, I’ve made peace with that and have begun to think about what shape my life is going to take as a single, capable woman with a lot of options. In only a year and a half I will have my ticket and be able to work anywhere in the world. I can travel. I can move anywhere I want to move. I can shape my life into anything I want it to be with nothing restricting me.
The fact that I now have options is something kind of new to me. For the first time in my life I will have a decent salary that affords a lifestyle with more than just the basics. Choosing to become a tradesperson at almost exactly the same time as Alberta’s economic boom began was probably the best decision I’ve ever made. In addition to the personal satisfaction I get out of doing my job, it sure doesn’t hurt that we are in great demand right now. Although I’ve always been a person who thought that it was more important to love what you are doing than to make gobs of money, as I get older I realize that having a comfortable living is almost as important as loving what you do. When you have both together, it’s a real blessing.
So, getting older doesn’t seem like it’s a horrible thing. I don’t really mourn the passage of my youth. I look at the average lifespan of people now and realize that I’ve still got 40 plus years of living to experience...if I’m lucky, of course. I feel strong, confident and healthy. I have wonderful friends and family. With age comes the ability to recognize that the times of contentment are precious and important. In all, life is good and I’m happy.
Time, I embrace you. My birthday wish this year is that I try to slow down, make the most of every second available, and appreciate each one that I have.
And maybe, just maybe, to write more.
Although I’m often reflective around my birthday, turning 39 seems to be a milestone of sorts. I began to slow down and think about time and its effect on me. The biggest thing seems to be the realization that I likely won’t have kids. The window is rapidly shrinking and even though some women do have them in their 40s, the likelihood that I am going to be one of those women is pretty low. And the funny thing is, I’ve made peace with that and have begun to think about what shape my life is going to take as a single, capable woman with a lot of options. In only a year and a half I will have my ticket and be able to work anywhere in the world. I can travel. I can move anywhere I want to move. I can shape my life into anything I want it to be with nothing restricting me.
The fact that I now have options is something kind of new to me. For the first time in my life I will have a decent salary that affords a lifestyle with more than just the basics. Choosing to become a tradesperson at almost exactly the same time as Alberta’s economic boom began was probably the best decision I’ve ever made. In addition to the personal satisfaction I get out of doing my job, it sure doesn’t hurt that we are in great demand right now. Although I’ve always been a person who thought that it was more important to love what you are doing than to make gobs of money, as I get older I realize that having a comfortable living is almost as important as loving what you do. When you have both together, it’s a real blessing.
So, getting older doesn’t seem like it’s a horrible thing. I don’t really mourn the passage of my youth. I look at the average lifespan of people now and realize that I’ve still got 40 plus years of living to experience...if I’m lucky, of course. I feel strong, confident and healthy. I have wonderful friends and family. With age comes the ability to recognize that the times of contentment are precious and important. In all, life is good and I’m happy.
Time, I embrace you. My birthday wish this year is that I try to slow down, make the most of every second available, and appreciate each one that I have.
And maybe, just maybe, to write more.
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Today’s Treasure: I had tea with my elderly neighbour. Although she’s 84, she has a young spirit and a big, generous heart. She has the most amazing, intelligent, sparkling blue eyes and a great sense of humour. I love her!
Today’s Treasure: I had tea with my elderly neighbour. Although she’s 84, she has a young spirit and a big, generous heart. She has the most amazing, intelligent, sparkling blue eyes and a great sense of humour. I love her!
