Sailing past 50!

A few weeks ago, I celebrated another wonderful birthday. Every year I am given an opportunity to live and to love, I am grateful. The farther away I can get from the big 5-0, the happier I am. I know, that sounds weird, right? Let me explain.

My Dad died at 50 while I was in my senior year of high school. I felt, in my innocence, he had lived a full life, he had known true love with my Mom, had a successful career, raised six children and had many friends. To me, it was appropriate or timely for him to pass. That was until I got older and the closer I got to 35, something in my mindset changed. This was also about the same period of time I dove into genealogy. Turns out my Dad’s family tree was not made up of very hardy folk. Both of his parents passed away on or before they turned 50. His sister died at 2. His grandfather died at 37, and the list goes on. So depressing and sad. In stark contrast, my Mother’s family tree produced many with truly long lives, some into their 90’s including my sweet Mom herself, living until her last breath at 91 years old.

Now that I am nearing my 60’s, my husband and I engage in many discussions about retirement, traveling and replacing our 60-year-old home with a new, smaller home where less maintenance is required. I love these moments where we dream together of our next 20, 30 or maybe 40 years together.

These are also the times I reflect on my parents. They were getting so close to having the last of their six children graduate from high school. I’m sure they themselves must have been dreaming of their future together without children at home in the not-so-distant future. What was at the top of their list? Was it some huge trip or remodeling the house Dad built? Would Mom have taken up fishing to spend more time doing what my Father loved so dearly? Perhaps travel to see dear loved ones, most importantly being their grandchildren. I often wonder what type of Papaw my Dad would have been alongside my Mom. I saw them with the four oldest grandchildren, but I was far too young to appreciate how much influence a grandparent can have. A grandparents love is different. I’m not saying its better than a parent. It is just different. So very special. As a Meme to four, I know that special love and it is boundless.

So here’s to another year of living MY full life. Take stock in what you have right now. Be grateful for all the gifts and moments you have been given. Our lives need not be perfect in order to be grateful. Don’t get caught up in the past and be careful not to spend excessive time longing for the future. You have right now. Live, love, laugh, explore, hug more, speak words of life to everyone, make a difference in someone’s life. Live a life worth living.

With a smile and a happy heart,

Elle