39 and 11/12ths (or why I’m OK with turning 40)
japra | Jul 01, 2008 | Comments 22
At the end of this month, I’ll be 40. There! I’ve said it. And actually, since my last birthday, I’ve practiced saying it to myself like a chant: fuh-fuh-fuh-forty, FOUR-tee, four-TEE. The BIG four-oh.
What’s got me thinking about it today is last night I read Sarah Laurence’s post on turning 40, and all I could think of was, “Yes, I agree!” Won’t you visit her blog and read her post now? I’ll wait…
What did you think? I thought it was spot on, at least for me. The other day, I was looking at my social security stub and realized I haven’t had a “real job” in more than 10 years. Do I regret staying home? Heck no. There are times when I really do feel like the glue that holds all of us together. I am so grateful that my husband wants me to stay home with our daughter, even though she’s 13 now and doesn’t need me as much. I am glad to be here when she gets home from school so I can hear all her news while it’s fresh and bubbling. And being with her through the summers is something I look forward to every year. I know we only have five more years before we have to let her fly. Believe me, I treasure every moment.
.
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Anyway, the other day while I was mowing our tiny lawn, I realized something about myself. Career aspirations aside, everything I’ve ever hoped for has come true. I mean, my gosh, I was mowing the grass… in England! London and her treasures are less than an hour away. I’m travelling more–in Europe, no less. I have time for my art (though in all honesty I haven’t quite gotten used to enjoying that time guilt-free). My husband is fabulous and our daughter, gorgeous and amazing. Apart from a few bumps and detours, my life has been good so far.
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As I approach my 40th birthday, I realize with age comes a better appreciation for life’s adventures. I look forward to continuing on this more thoughtful path.
Filed Under: Blog
About the Author: JaPRA is an expat Texan living in England with her husband (Mr. DJ), their 17-year old daughter (Roxi), and their dog Trudy.
I love,love, love the picture!!! Wonderful post, too.
I turned 50 (HORRORS!) almost three years ago and dreaded it. It’s not the number that bothers me. It’s people’s perception of that number. When people see the number 50, I think most automatically think “old” and “irrelevant.” I try to bust that sterotype at every possible opportunity.
Regarding celebrating that big 5-0, I threw myself a party at my own house where I had TOTAL control of the situation. No black and white tacky jokes. It was a luau party with karaoke and roast pork and red beans and rice and it was FABULOUS!
Laurie–Thanks :-) I love that you threw yourself a party–I bet it was a blast! I was going to do that too and have Mr. DJ spin the tunes. But since we’re half way around the world from family and friends, I’m going out of town instead. That’s a fair trade off!
Isn’t it funny how getting to a new decade always makes us stop and think? Well, I shouln’t say that it always does; I mean, when I turned 20 I didn’t stop and think about where I stood in life. But when I turned 30 a couple of years ago I definitely re-evaluated everything. Good thing that I found out that I was pretty happy with everything. Now if I can just get my book finished!1 :-)
Happy Birthday! Your trip sounds absolutely amazing. You are a very blessed woman. You must let us know how it goes. By the way, 40 isn’t old. You look amazing!
Alyson–I think we just get more thoughtful in life. I like your idea of the beginning of a new decade being a viewing point of sorts. That makes it sound so much better!
What is your book about? I wrote one for NANOWRIMO last fall, but it was really more of a catalyst than anything else. I have two books in mind to write, though not any time soon.
I’m glad you have a good attitude about it. I fretted about it for a year, and I’m not really sure why.
I think that what Laurie said makes a lot of sense, though. I think that 40 depressed me because it just sounds middle-aged.
Bee–Believe me, I did my share of fretting and moaning (as they say here in England). It really wasn’t until last Friday that I decided I was okay with it all.
40 will be great!
Nice picture too!
I am planning to be 39 until I climb Nevis, be 40 at the peak and age rapidly as I descend ;)
And thanks to your blog, we’ll be experiencing your adventures right along with you. :)
JAPRA, Happy Birthday (in advance)! How nice to hear that my post on turning 40 resonated with you. One year later I can assure you that 40 was a really good year (here in Oxford) and turning 41 no big deal at all.
You do seem to be living and enjoying life to its fullest, and you look great too (or is that you at 30?) I love that line about being the glue holding your family together. You made me laugh with your 40 chant. A good dose of humor is indeed the best anecdote to aging.
My friends close to 50 and beyond are having a blast now that their kids are off and doing well. It’s almost a second childhood with tons of time to explore your creativity. Speaking of which, did you get my e-mail? I’d love to see your art link.
Susan–Hahaha! And thanks :-)
Barrie– < {:-) Party!
Sarah–Well, I know I’ll have a great time. It’s just getting over the hump that’s the hard part. But I’m there! I think it helps to be doing something fabulous right now. It gives me very little to complain about ;-)
And no, that is me just a couple of months ago–haha!
I did send you an email on Monday. I’ll resend, but you might want to check your bulk or spam folder. Sometimes I end up there! Bee’s emails often land in my bulk folder too.
Happy Birthday! I hope you have a wonderful celebration. As a devoted reader staring 6-0 in the face next year, I want to thank you young whipper-snapper for an always entertaining blog.
My book is about a women in the 19th century in the mining town of Park City, UT, which is where I used to live. I wrote a novel between the ages of 22-24, but now I hate that one. I didn’t even know myself then and it was just pandering to what I thought people might want.
What was your book about last fall? What are you thinking of writing next?
Kathleen–Hahaha!Thanks for the kind words. When are you landing in Blighty? I’d love to meet for tea and “talk Texas”. I see your blog is prepped and ready to go!
Alyson–Wow–I hope to read it one day :-) Utah is a beautiful state, by the way. We love the Four Corners area.
As for my book, I actually started to write a children’s book about a magical golden cuff that linked four or five shorter stories together. It was an interesting exercise and really got my creative juices flowing. I had artist block for months, mainly from being so busy with the move. But putting aside time every day to write about 3,000 words made such a difference. That book will never be published, but it opened so many possibilites. And really helped with perfection issues–haha! If you email me (justaplanerideaway{at}yahoo.co.uk) I will tell you about the two books I’m thinking about right now.
I spent my 40th birthday in London! And it was wonderful! You’ll do fine. After all, I think since 60 is supposedly the new 40, it would follow that 40 is the new 20! Right??
Pamela–Sixty is the the 40 and 40 is the new 20?! In that case, WOO-HOO! ;-)
Ahhh…I misspelled. I put women instead of woman. How annoying!
Anyway, I’ll definitely be emailing you to hear more!
Happy Birthday! I got here via the Drunken Bee. I’m glad you’re feeling that forty is a good place to be. As a forty one year old I am looking around at women older than I who I would like to grow to resemble. I think it will be a good trip. Have a wonderful summer.
Alyson–I can’t spell. I wish Blogger would include a spell check on its comment field. I’ve seen other blogs that do that!
Nimble–Hi and welcome! I’m glad you stopped by to comment. I agree, there are so many wonderful role models out there, so many exciting things to look forward to, and so many worries that we can leave behind :-) I’m feeling so much better about turning 40. I’m glad I said something!
Please! you look so young!! I don’t see any wrinkles at all. just wait until you turn 53, uggghhhhh. Now that’s old!!!!
cutest picture!!!
Joni
Joni–The wrinkles are there! They started popping out over the last couple of years. Boo!
Yikes! I’m sorry to be late wishing you the BIG BIRTHDAY!
Actually, you look very young, but–even though I’ve know you for years–I had no idea that you were so youthful in fact because you always have such mature and thoughtful comments. Forty is actually the perfect age! Enjoy it! I turned 51 almost a month ago. Tempus fugit! I loved your sweet photo, too!
Love, Mimsy
Mimsy–You’re early! My birthday isn’t until July 31st. I posted my notice a month in advance so that I could talk put it out there and get it out of the way–haha ;-)
Time does fly. Can you believe we’ve known each other for 10 years? I think that humid Texas air is good for the skin.
AND happy belated birthday to you, my dear. Wishing you a year of blessings and much happiness.