I say this like it's a big announcement because it is. Since my 30s, I've been extremely cagey about my age because I have been told I look a lot younger than I am. Lord knows, I act a lot younger.
So announcing my real age feels like a big deal.
Turning 40 really did not seem like that big of a deal, mainly because I had just gotten married and was pregnant with Conor. It's hard to feel old when everything is new and shiny. Plus I was still running marathons around that time. Physically, in my late 30s, I was at my physical peak.
Screeching up to the 50 year mark? Not so much. I still run, but only a bit. There is still evidence of MY AWARD WINNING TMZ PHOTO (!!!) and the twins in the extra skin around my belly. My metabolism has taken a nose dive and I cannot get rid of these extra ellbees.
So I'm no longer physically at my peak. But mentally and emotionally? I am just getting started. And I can tell you that I'm getting a few amens from the other women who are approaching or past 50 right now, too.
First, my attitude has shifted to this:
I sometimes just say that. Out loud. With a sweep of my arm to demonstrate both the field and that it is barren.
Second, I recently saw this:
This is a nice coda to the original "Behold the fields in which I grow....". Plus, it's a lot quicker to just say "F@ck it! Dance party!!!" and start dancing around.
It doesn't mean that I've given up. Instead, it's quite the opposite. Now I have a barren field on which I regularly have a dance party. It allows me to jump off the diving board in my large tankini at the pool and swim around like a shark attacking my children. It says "Why not try some Latisse, Botox, and eyelash tinting" and by Jove, it looks good. It says "Fasting is good. But this week, I'm going to eat and drink some nice wine." This dance party on that field says "Get that second tattoo on your ankle so everyone can see it."
I thought "Tattoo Still Life With Cat" would make a nice addition to all the Facebook pictures. All I need now is a teacup pig, and my midlife crisis will be over. Or at least full. Crisis goals met? What happens when the crisis is over? What's the next stage? Old hag? READY FOR IT!!
