Age is Only a Number!
This time of year has me reminiscing about the past. I think
it’s because of the holidays approaching…family gathering…children’s birthdays…all
those things that show the passing of time. As a woman of a certain age, I’m no
longer in the hot demographics for clothes, television shows, or even *gasp*
sex. The commercials I see on television which are targeted toward my age are
the retirement and health insurance ads. They want to make sure I’m able to
enjoy my health after retirement or to protect my family in the case of a loss.
At least men of my age get the sexy wife commercials for those moments when the
time is right.
At sixteen or even twenty, I thought of anyone over 40 as
old. Now I’m in that second-rate group, however, I’m not old. I’m just getting
started. J I
don’t look or act my age. I guess I never have. This year, I ran my first 5K
marathon including obstacle course. I had boudoir photos taken which show me as
beautiful and sexy. Life is just starting for me. I’m self-publishing my own
books and working with a wonderful publisher to share my love of writing. All
of these things began after I turned 40. It seems to me that 40 is the new 20
and I’m loving life.
I always tell my students that I’m not done doing what I
love yet. Who knows…in my career, I’ve been a salesperson, teacher, mother,
author, and nurses’ aide. Maybe I will become the racecar driver I’ve always
dreamed of. Age is just a number, not a definition of who you are. Neither are
those commercials for AARP. What do you think about age? Is it just a number?
For writers dreaming of becoming published…the
same advice is for you! Don’t give up! Never let go of your dreams, no matter
your age. Continue to learn and grow as you reach for the stars.
My books Second Time's the Charm and Three's a Crowd feature a divorced woman who feels her age and comes to grip with finding love again in the most unlikely way.
Coming Soon in a new and updated edition… Second Time’s a
Charm
A middle aged divorcee with two children must find her way
back to love after a devastating divorce leaves her with no self confidence in
herself or even in love. Lissa's
ex-husband has shredded her self esteem, so she has thrown herself into her
children and job. An emergency life
threatening illness of her best friend's son puts her on the path to romance.
Lissa finds her new love in an unexpected way...introduced by his ex-wife.
Who knew that first time loves could lead to second
chances?
Stay tuned on my website for the cover reveal and release of this fan favorite story!
31 comments:
Oh, Melissa, there are always second chances and more until we die, and that could be the ultimate chance. lol I think I'm being melancholy because I would love to be 40 again.
As I near 70, I'm still not ready to quit. There's still life in the old girl. Grin!
Yes, age is just a number, but you can feel old at any age even 20.
So true Sandy! I have my days that I felt so old at 20. I'm just glad to have so many chances. And maybe I will get my dream of being a funny car racer yet! Don't count me out!
Great post, Melissa. And yes, age is only a number. I know some twentysomethings who seem so weary of life, while others in their fifties, sixties are raring to go. It's all in how you approach life. :)
Thanks Tina! I can honestly say I'm happier now than when I was in my 20's. Guess it's like the poem about wearing purple when I get older. :)
Great article. I agree with the saying 40 is the new 20. I've shared :)
Thanks Andrea! I'm not sure I'd want to go back to 20...too much stress!
I thoroughly agree. I no longer tell my age (just look at the grey hair in my picture!) but life is too interesting to worry about a number.
Thanks Jean! I agree! Life is always an adventure!
ps. I have gray but no one can tell because I'm still dying my hair to keep the fantasy!
I was watching some show last night a documentary and the women portrayed was in her hmm middle thirties which is the same age of my daughter and this woman looked freaking OLD. I wonder what happened - we don't look anywheres near the age our ancestors looked at our age. I like it but wonder what happened?
I think our lives are a lot easier than their lives were. But we also have a whole different diet. I'd like to believe that all the preservatives in our food are keeping us looking great! :)
I'm over 350 years old and I don't look older than 40. Must be the Coors Lite?
LOL must be the preservatives, I like that!
@Henri... Coors light! Guess I'll have to start drinking! But I can only imagine how exhausting it is to be 350 years old.
My father used to say, "If you didn't know how old you were, how old do you think you'd be?" Great post, Melissa. If we can throw out the weight scale, we can throw out the number of our age.
Oh Sheri, I didn't even think of the number for our weight! That's another number I'd love to ditch. So much is wrong with putting parameters on ourselves.
I'll be riding in my convertible with the top down and my hair blowing in the wind until my kids take the car keys away. Until then, I'll write books and continue to love my family and my life every single day.
Best--Adele
What a wonderful post, Melissa. It can be hard to ignore those who start sending you cremation and funeral packages unsolicited as soon as you turn 65, which is what happened with my husband. I say the greatest revenge is to live forever! I believe age is irrelevant. As an old wise woman once said, "If you have a pulse, you can still enjoy life, or be miserable. Make it fun." I'm with Adele in that convertible, as long as she doesn't mind if I throw my weighing scales into a ditch as we zoom along. I intend to continue to reinvent myself as long as I can imagine a new chapter in my life.
Nice post! I say yes and no. It's true I'm doing a lot more things I want to do now, but I also miss 4-H, dance, soccer, the activities my daughter did. I also don't feel as good as I did when I was younger.
Very nicely said. I think once one stops changing it up, one begins to get old. I was 58 when I started writing. I just got my senior card and half the fun is that no one thinks I look or act 60. Maybe 60 is the new 40. Tweeted.
@ Adele, I want a convertible again so that I can enjoy the summer. It was always my favorite thing to do, drive with the top down.
@Gemma,
The convertible will be crowded but fun with all of us in it! :)
Life is about living, not letting numbers get in the way of how you feel.
@D'Ann, I know that physically I felt better when I was younger...less of the aches and pains but I'm glad to trade the aches for the emotional security that I feel now in myself.
@Ella,
Reinventing yourself is fun. It gives you freedom to try new things. :) I'm glad you started writing and I know many other people are too!
Nicely said, Melissa! I'd do it all over again with very few exceptions.
Rose,
That's wonderful! You are so fortunate!
Very interesting post, Melissa! I've known people who were old at twenty and others who were always ready for whatever life had to offer. I'm pretty sure age is a state of mind and staying passionate about what you love helps keep you young!
Isn't that wonderful Paris that we can always stay youthful by thinking young and living life to its fullest?
Awesome Post, Melissa! Keep living your dream and running those marathons! Congrats on all you success.
Thanks Kary. I'm doing another mud run this year. They are fun and so empowering! :) Wanna join me??
Inspiring post. I'm not ready to give it up either. I didn't start writing seriously until my late 40's and I feel I'm just getting started.
Thanks Cara. I love your books. Can you imagine trying to explain all this to yourself at 21?? I would have said I was crazy!
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