It’s official; I’m no longer sniffin sixty. I’m a few weeks out. I keep telling everyone that I’m sixty. I think if I say it enough I’ll be so used to
it by the time it actually occurs that it will be a smooth passing. The truth is, transitions are tough. From
marriage to kids, to divorce or new relationships, job changes and so on and so
on.
The “sixty thing” has personally, been my latest transition
and challenge. I know I’m not alone in
feeling that it’s a challenge. All I have
to do is pick up the phone and call one of my friends or read an article in
More Magazine or AARP. Even the “hip”
magazines geared to a younger audience are filled with articles on remaining
ageless. It’s not so much that I feel like I’m getting old it’s simply that I’m
astonished that so much time has gone by.
My son has just recently moved home after graduating
college. This is definitely a
transition. We’re a work in progress getting to know one another as adults.
He’s not interested in my recycled wisdom, which is probably a good thing….it’s
better that he learns from his own life lessons. Maybe being needed is
overrated. Sure he likes having home
cooked meals in the frig. and free rent,
but he certainly doesn’t need it.
What has become clear to me is that I need to learn to enjoy
the present. Raising families, we spend so much time multi-tasking that it fills
us up. When we’re not needed so much
anymore, how do we fill that hole?
Slowing down is not easy and maybe that’s the way it’s supposed to be. It’s a skill to be learned, like truly
enjoying a sunset or a meal or just immersing yourself in the moment. Not so much filling time and checking off a
to do list, but really being present. I
know I sound like one of those new age guru’s, but I’m pretty sure we’ve all
felt it at times…a perfect ski run, an afternoon in the garden, sitting
around the table with family, just letting conversation flow or relaxing on the deck,
surrounded by beauty and solitude, when our most pressing thought is “I wonder
if there’s any more chocolate left in the house?”.
Everything has been static and comfortable for a long time
now. So I guess it’s time for a transition.
I’m starting to see this passing of time as an opportunity. An opportunity to take a risk, because when
we push outside of our comfort zones, we grow and learn the most about
ourselves. So with this crossing over
into the next decade comes not only acceptance, but excitement as well. Yes, I’m not so happy when I look in the
mirror. Maybe I just need to develop a
new attitude. See my wrinkles as war
paint, earned in the trenches of parenting and middle age. Or maybe I should be
more grateful that I have them so that I can move forward with the wisdom and
rich experiences gained over the last sixty years!
