Last day of my forties

Well it's finally here -- my last day of being "in my forties" before embarking into my fifties tomorrow.  I have mixed feelings about it, as most of you know.  Fifty just seems, well, old.  I enjoyed turning 30, I thought that was very cool.  And when I turned 40 it was cool because "they" said 40 was the new 30.  I have no idea what 50 is, other than half a century, and most likely past "middle age" since most of us don't live to be 100.  Rather sobering to realize that my life is at least, and probably more, than half over.  How did this happen?  Where did all of those years go?  It sure doesn't seem like 50 years, whatever that should seem like.


Still, I am blessed by so many things in my life, and so essentially I am grateful.  I have a family who loves me, two of whom are able to be here to celebrate with me (Mom now, Betsy on Thursday -- unfortunately my brother, his wife, and my nieces are unable to make the trip due to work, money issues, but they'll be here in spirit).  I have the best dog in the universe in Kayla, who is my soul-dog/soul-mate in every way possible, and who is still alive and kicking at 11 years old (which makes her 67 in human years according to new methods for figuring those things our) and seems happy to be alive and thrilled to be in our company.  I have friends who love me and make me laugh -- and what's most interesting is that many of the friends I have now were not in my life when I turned 40, (while some who were such important part of my life at 40 have drifted away) and now I can't imagine life without them, so that truly is a blessing.


And there is Bob, who has been at the center of my life for almost half of it.  I turned 25 in August of 1985, and met Bob in September of 1985, engaged 3 months later.  There are ways in my life that I have been lucky -- great friends, a loving family -- and ways that I have not been particularly lucky -- mainly in the arena of my health challenges for 34 years.  But I hit the jackpot when I met, fell in love with, and married Bob.  


If I were able to go back in time and be offered a trade -- not meet Bob but get my healthy body back -- there's no question what I would choose.  The healthy body, of course! :-D  Okay no, I'd choose Bob, over and over again.  Maybe he's the reason time has sped so quickly?  

Here's to the next 50 years!