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Wednesday, February 11, 2009

50 Is Not A Speed Trap (It's My Birthday!)

Some of my friends are slowing down for 50. Not me. I'm hitting the gas and leaving three feet of tire marks and twenty dollars worth of fumes behind me. I'm not complaining about my life so far--I'm married to the man of my dreams who hardly ever looks at me like I've taken leave of my senses, and I have two sons who can play Guitar Hero like they were born with Stratocasters in their hands. I just don't want the next 50 years to be the second lap of the same race.

Sure, I'm slower. I'm slower to get angry. And I'm heavier. I’m carrying some wonderful memories along with me. But they don't have a parking space near the Pearly Gates reserved for those that are pokey and fat. So, God willing, I’m gathering myself up to forge ahead, full throttle, without thinking whether this 5-0 bump in the road will send me soaring into the blue or skidding into a ditch.

I'm going flat out, full speed, wide open and see where it takes me. Whether it’s around the next left-hand turn or into the pit, there’s a story waiting to unfold. I’ll have plenty of time later when I'm done with the race and waiting to see who comes in second to check out the rear view and see what I left behind. If I'm still interested.

I'm going to make as many people laugh as I can today, I’ll put off crying until tomorrow, and I’ll learn to dance the can can without throwing out a hip.

I can hunt my walking stick and liniment later. WalMart stays open all night.

Wonder if they’ll rotate my tires.

10 comments:

Angie Ledbetter said...

Well, welcome to my world...except I have 3 teens with the Rock Band set of instruments strung across the living room. :)

Janna Qualman recommended your blog to me, as I'm doing a blog crawl today and investigating new places to share with my readers. Janna done good. And HAPPY BIRTHDAY! I've got the same big 5-oh coming up in September.

the Bag Lady said...

Welcome to the best years of your life.... really!

Ann (bunnygirl) said...

Happy Birthday! It happens to the best of us, and given the alternative, each new b-day is worthy of celebration!

Debbie said...

Angie recommended we stop by. You sounded like my kind of lady! Glad to meet you.

Kathryn Magendie said...

YOU GO! I'm over here from Angie's who was over here from Janna's *laugh* -- HAPPY BIRTHDAY~!

I have one - my 52nd - coming 2/26 and let me tell you - your attitude is right on! I love this time of my life....

Have a great one!~ Smiling...

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday!

colbymarshall said...

Happy birthday! Didn't know ours were so close together ;-)

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday To You!!!
Welcome to my world!
It's a beautiful place!!!

Melissa said...

Happy Birthday!

Amy Mullis said...

Thanks to every one of you for the comments and commiserations and especially for the birthday wishes. The starting gun has sounded and I'm off! We'll see how far I get before I have to stop for major body work.