 |
| My mom's high school yearbook picture. |
My mom turned sixty-five last week. She looks and seems so much younger though, and I've been trying to pinpoint exactly why. Besides good genes (here's to hoping she passed those down to me, right?) I think a lot of it is her attitude.
She's never had a problem admitting her age, and she enjoys her birthdays. If anyone ever asks her how she feels about getting older she says, "It sure beats the alternative." She laughs a lot, loves her grandbabies, and will often sit down on the floor with them to play or read books. She is more focused on other people than herself, and she is happy to be where she is.
Just the other day I was talking to my dear friend Rachel and I asked her, “When did we get this old?” Even as I said it I knew that we're still young. We’re both only 34, and Lord willing, we still have a lot of life ahead of us. But a whole lot has happened since we became friends when we were fourteen. Sometimes we both worry that this season is the best yet, or ever. Our kids are young and cute and at home. It's easy to worry that the next stage in life will be different and therefore not as good. But when I look at my parents I don't worry as much.
My mom and dad do foster care full time. They pour their hearts and lives into the kids they work with, and they love what they do. When I look at the way they live their lives I’m not afraid of growing older. They make being grandparents look good.
As I was getting this post ready this week, and thinking about my mom's birthday and aging gracefully, I opened a piece of chocolate with this message:
Thank you, Dove. :)
My Mom's only 45, but I feel like I can relate to a lot of what you said about your Mom and Dad and how they make you feel about age--when I see them, and even my grandparents, who are all in their early 70s, all "kicking butt" and not letting any of life go to waste, it gives me great hope for the years to come in life, that getting older doesn't have to mean getting any less adventurous (after all, we went to Cambodia with my parents for their 25th wedding anniversary this year)--and there's never any need to get lazy about the kind of impact we leave on this world, either!
ReplyDeleteThat's so awesome that you guys traveled to Cambodia for your parents' 25th wedding anniversary! It really is great to have hope for the future.
DeleteThis is great to hear. I never understood why age was something to be ashamed of - you should be proud of it! I agree, it beats the alternative :)
ReplyDelete:)
DeleteYour mom is an inspiration. And I totally agree with you, I bet it's all about attitude! Getting older is a blessing, we really should be proud of our age!
ReplyDeletexxox
Laura @ www.cookwineandthinker.com
Absolutely, Laura!
DeleteWhat a sweet post! A lot of people in my family lived to be in their late 90s and even over a hundred, and I always wondered how they stayed so strong and upbeat - attitude! Really loved this post!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jessica! That's amazing that so many in your family are able to live so long. :)
DeleteGreat post! I often think this about my mom and I can't wait to see what these next chapters hold for them. Hopefully grand littles will be in the deck of cards in the next five years!
ReplyDeleteWord! The older I get, even as I get twinges of sadness about things that will never be again, I feel so grateful for life and breath and a body that works. Age is a gift and I think kids make that even more real. Love this, sweet Gina.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lindsey. Miss you friend.
Delete