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Wednesday, September 21, 2016

On Turning 55



That's right... September 21st is my day!

I asked The Mister recently to take a picture of me.
"You?" he asked in a sarcastic tone.  Well, yes...me!
He is not into photos, selfies, social media or any kind
 of sentiments.  If I didn't take photos of our kids the last
25 years, there wouldn't be any photos at all! haha.
If I didn't take selfies, there wouldn't be any photographic
documentation of my existence in decades. 
And no, he didn't take the above picture. :)
Some day when my great granddaughters inherit my
finer jewelry, I want them to be able to see who I was
  and laugh at the styles of clothes and hair "back then".
I hope they will hear something about who I was, too.
Good things, I hope.  And as I get older, the legacy I leave
 behind becomes more than a passing thought.  

There are quite a few things I enjoy about getting older.
Hopefully, we become wiser. :)  We aren't as shy.
We are more sure of ourselves.  We know when to stand
up for ourselves.  We know what we believe and why.  
Our faith is stronger.  We seem to be able to keep 
perspective when bad things happen.
We've learned how strong we really are.  We've learned from
our mistakes and we've learned from others' mistakes.
We've learned what toxic relationships look like.
We've learned to say no.   We've learned that quality is
better than quantity and that goes for everything from
friends to possessions.  We can laugh at ourselves.
We've learned that happiness is a choice.

We've learned that our story is just a thread in the tapestry
of history and it's up to us to make our little thread 
as beautiful as we can.  Since I love gray, maybe mine 
will be gray?  haha.  Or maybe it will look silver. :)
And just as importantly, our little thread of a life isn't
running through that tapestry loose and independently.
It is connected to those threads around us...every other life
we've touched.  They are all sewn together and influenced
by each other.  The length of the thread isn't as important
as the color, strength and beauty of it.

Didn't I read somewhere recently that the 50's were the new 30's?
Yes, I like that thought. You're only as old as you feel, right?



65 comments:

  1. Well written dear Betsy! But nothing wrong with getting older but enjoying every step of the way.
    I for one couldn't even manage a step with those heels but they make you look classy!! Have a wonderful birthday tomorrow, may your list of fun things to do be long! You are amazing dear friend!!

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    Replies
    1. Well, aren't you sweet. Thank you! Yes, we get old whether we like it or not, so
      we might as well like it. haha....

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  2. Beautiful!!! And all true. These are certainly the good things about aging with grace.

    I'll probably tell you tomorrow, also.....but for now, Happy Birthday!!

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    1. Thanks, Laurie. Yes, there are good things, for sure. I wouldn't mind being 40 again, though. haha.

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  3. I am wishing you the happiest of birthdays. May the rest of your life be the best of your life.
    I do love this portrait of you. It really shows who you are. Glad you were able to get it taken.
    I realized a few years ago that I was missing in so many of the photos...why? Because if I didn't take them they wouldn't exist. No since "selfies" are easy to take, I insist that Hubby and I get in a few smiles. I want memories for our families too.
    Betsy you have really written a beautiful, intimate look at growing a year older. they are my sentiments exactly though I have 18 years on you. I do like the illustration of the thread. It's perfect.
    So
    Happiest of Birthdays to you.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks, Suzan. Glad you can relate to being the family photographer! haha. Yay for selfies...we need pictures, too!

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  4. Beautiful. You and your thoughts. I am so glad my thread is connected with yours. Happy Early Birthday, my friend. xox

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  5. Happy Birthday tomorrow Betsy! I am about 10 months older than you. :) I would never think you were 55 - "you look mahvelous!"

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    1. Thanks, Mari! I remember you saying earlier this year that we were the same age! I don't think you have a single wrinkle, though! Not fair. haha.

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  6. WONDERFUL photo! Milestone birthdays are always a good time for reflection. Hope yours is good.

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    1. And I can't believe how much closer to 60 this sounds! Ack! haha.

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  7. Happy Birthday. Your image is lovely and your words are wise. I'm so glad you got in the picture so we could all see. Yes - 50 is the new 30. Ask me how I know. ;)

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  8. Happy Birthday Betsy!
    May you have many great grand daughters to pass on all your charm, talent and wisdom. Oh, and your jewelry!

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Let's hope I do! Hope I live long enough to see them all!

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  9. Happy Birthday!! I hope you enjoy every moment of your day!! The picture came out wonderful!!! :-)

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    1. Thank you! I am enjoying it...especially and the sweet birthday wishes from my friends, you included!

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  10. Hi Betsy - have a wonderful day ... I'm just glad you're taking photos! I loved you in white the other day ... but I know gray is your colour choice. Wise words too ... as we age ... we do take stock of how we feel and how we adjust ... Have a very happy day and with lots of joy in the years ahead ... cheers Hilary

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    Replies
    1. Thank you! Got a little wordy there, didn't I? haha.

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  11. Well we love you . . I certainly do. Happy birthday to you.
    #Love the high heels but wonder how you manage to walk in them without falling over . . lol
    May I say I do not believe you are 55 . . . did they make a mistake on your birth certificate . . :)
    Thank goodness you took all those selfies ~ we would be much the poorer if you hadn't. . . . :)

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    1. Thanks, Ed. And thanks for that little present you gave me. That was so sweet. :)

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    2. It was my great pleasure . . :)
      Just read your post again ~ it is beautifully written and contains a wealth of wisdom . . so true, all of it. Love the sentence, "We've learned that our story is just a thread in the tapestry
      of history and it's up to us to make our little thread
      as beautiful as we can!" . .

      You certainly do that, Betsy . . . :)

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    3. I can be thoughtful and wise occasionally. :) And I walk in those heels just fine, thank you
      very much. haha..

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  12. Happy Birthday Betsy. Your thoughts and 'take' on life are very inspiring. You commented that you wouldn't mind being 40 again; age is but a number to be ignored, and in the eyes of an old man like me you look wonderfully young in that portrait. May your beauty last forever. Bright Blessings to you, my oldest bloggy friend <3

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    1. Sorry, I meant you were my first and longest bloggy friend.

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    2. Aw, you're very sweet. Thank you! :)

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  13. Ohh Betsy, first of all happy birthday!!
    I do love this post about getting older, you're so true.
    So, if 50's are the new 30's it means that my 40's are the new 20's hahahah... wow I like this point of view :-)
    Love

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    1. And you know what? You look like you're in your 20's, so that is perfect!

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  14. Lovely thoughts. Have a nice Birthday! As I was looking at our calendar and realized your birthday was coming up, it just clicked with me for the first time, that your family has birthdays four months in a row!

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    1. Yep..they are all in a row! We've always laughed about that.

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  15. Well said Betsy! Yes and the 60's are the new 50's...At least that's how I feel.
    Have a very Happy Birthday!

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  16. Happy Birthday at your sea
    As a double digit one comes to be
    Only 9 of those can be had
    At a person's pad
    We sure learn more as we age
    And turn the page
    Weaving a web of life
    Through the good and the strife

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    1. Only nine times!? I didn't know!
      This was a special one to grow.
      Inching ever closer to sixty
      which sounds very icky. hahaha....

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    2. haha well when 90 rolls around
      You'll wish the 60 flip was found

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  17. ¸¸♬·¯·♩¸¸♪·¯·♫¸¸Happy Birthday To You¸¸♬·¯·♩¸¸♪·¯·♫¸¸

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  18. What a beautiful photo! Of course, how could it miss with that subject?

    Happy Birthday, doll. And you still look like you're in your thirties!

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  19. Wishing you a wonderful birthday Betsy, you are such a special lady !
    Hugs,
    ~Jo

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  20. the best happy birthday wishes to you. May there be some good cake involved. I hope the year ahead is wonderful. Your words are well written. Thank you.

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  21. Very very happy birthday to the most beautiful lady inside out!!! I loved each and every word you wrote and I agreed with all of them!
    Wishing you a wonderful day!! Big hugs Jitka

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  22. Happy Birthday! and good for you: you seem to have aged remarkably well.
    Do you actually walk anywhere in those glamorous heels? I used to run around in heels but since I had a foot operation about 20 years ago I can't do that any more. And these days I have rather a fat tummy (IBS), and a fat face because that's where any fat I put on always goes, and I think I'm getting shorter... I'm sure the gap between my ribs and my hips is smaller than it used to be. And I'm only 2 years older than you! How sad. Never mind. I guess I'll cope.
    My parcel that came today today was supposed to be new autumn/winter clothes. But the beautiful dress was far too tight. And the shirt was enormous with weird sleeves so they both go back. I hope you get to keep anything you got in the post?

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    1. Well, goodness! I thought you were about 30 years old! You know...I had that puffy face and belly about 3 years ago...and puffy hands. I started taking a probiotic supplement every day and drinking 8 glasses of water daily, too. It completely changed my body and how I felt. Hope you try it if you haven't already.
      Occasionally I order something online that doesn't fit but I tend to stay with brands that I know well and know the size will fit me. But returns are easy, so just try again!
      And I do walk in the heels. I have high arches and heels have always been comfortable to me. I won't wear shoes that hurt my feet...they must be comfy! haha.

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  23. Beautifully written, and each grey or silver thread of your 55 years as touch so many, myself included. Such a pondering of life and you have lived it in front of us daily, and you have touch us all in so many ways.
    Love your portrait, love the simplicity and those high heels. You are a treasure. Your children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren will hold that treasure you leave behind.

    I just read a novel by Anne Tyler called "A Spool of Blue Thread". So reminded me of your take on the threads of life woven through our family and relationships.
    Love you dear Betsy.

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    1. I haven't heard of that book but I should look for it! Thanks, Wanda...

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  24. PS~ Happy Birthday....I got so carried away with your wonderful post, I missed wishing you a great day and year.

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    1. Aw, thanks! It's been a good day. The Mister is taking me out to lunch on Friday. I've been showered with lovely gifts today and he's bringing dinner home with him later. And the weather here is a beautiful typical birthday weather for me....clear autumnal sky, slightly warm but very pretty. Love it. I'm blessed. :)

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  25. Love the wisdom in your words and the beauty in your picture. :) Happy birthday, Betsy!

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  26. Today'a the day! Happy Birthday!!!!

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  27. Let me join in with all the others, and tell you how insightful and beautifully written that was! Almost made me tear up... you know how I am about family history and things like that. And 100% of the women out there--in my opinion--probably wishes they looked like that picture of you, regardless of their age! Nicely done, birthday girl. Nicely done.

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    1. I almost made you cry. Oh, I love that. haha. You ol' softie, you. :)
      Thanks, Old Country, for the birthday wishes and encouragement.

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  28. Happy Birthday Betsy, and many more wonderful years. I try to look at life as this......it doesn't get better or worse, it just gets different. Just like raising children. One of the most important things to remember is to always keep your sense of humor.

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    1. I do agree about the sense of humor...it can make all the difference in a bad day not getting the best of you!

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  29. "Happy Birthday Betsy." I loved your words and agree with the comment from Carol. Life just changes and we need to be thankful for every single day. Blessings to you for the year ahead. xo

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    1. That is so true...each stage of life is wonderful in and of itself!

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  30. Belated birthday wishes, Betsy :) Oooh...that reminds me...watch your mail-box ;) Been so busy of late I keep forgetting to mail out things!

    The photo is wonderful! *HUGS*

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    1. Thanks, Todd! And I know you were missing your mom..especially on that day, too!

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