It’s better to be “over the hill” than under the ground…
Right?
Right??
I’m 39 years old today. I’m not having a birthday, though, because Rich has to work and then go to a viewing for one of his best friends growing up.
Here’s something odd. I’m looking forward to forty. I can’t wait to be forty. Thirty-nine, though, just isn’t sitting with me well.
I don’t know if it’s because this year has already been clogged with shit and catastrophe, or if it’s because my back is still effed up, or what. Notice I am not in fact doing cartwheels and posting them on Youtube.
Thirty-nine.
I could swear I just turned thirty.
The year I turned thirty I got divorced and watched the Towers come down. Thirty wasn’t so awesome, even though I had been desperate to turn thirty since I hit twenty.
Let’s look at the last nine years, shall we? And for the sake of all that’s good and wonderful I’m going to leave out the bad shit.
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I left a bad job for a worse job, got fired from the worse job, and got a fairly great job that broke my heart daily but taught me a lot about who I am and what’s important (SPCA of Wake County).
I found a dog on the side of the road who was a complete bitch but taught me a lot about patience and loving regardless of “faults.”
My cat of a lifetime was diagnosed diabetic and introduced me to an amazing community of women.
The guy I dated off and on over four years finally dumped me for good, allowing me to meet my husband at just the right time.
I found my dog of a lifetime while working at the shelter and adopted her. She’s a dumdum, but she’s MY dumdum.
I met three amazing women and they became my best friends, and I reconnected with my best friend from my early 20s.
Our family moved into a new home with a decent amount of land and fresh air and farm animals on all sides.
I completed my first piece of fiction since 9th grade.
***************************************************************
I had no idea that the first birthday card I ever received from my kid that was actually signed by her would make me cry. Know what? Just for that today might be the best birthday ever.
Hello 39. I’m willing to give you a chance. The alternative is far less appealing.
19 Responses to “It’s better to be “over the hill” than under the ground…”
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Happy birthday, Julie! 40 is worth looking forward to. So far, I’m enjoying them more than I did my 30s (though, it’s not like I’m that deep into the 40s; I’m not THAT old, you know!).
I know birthdays can be kind of cheezy, but make some time to do at least ONE little thing for yourself.
After the kids go to sleep I plan to run naked through the house while singing Air Supply songs at the tops of my lungs. The house will be ALL MINE!
Thanks for the birthday wishes!
Sounds like a helluva decade
You know, it really was.
Happy birthday!! I had a friend who was a trainer at a gym that shared a parking lot with a mortuary. When his clients would complain about what he was putting them through, he’d say “look, you can be on this side of the parking lot, or you can be on that side of the parking lot.”
I hope this year brings wonderful things.
I agree with your friend.
Thank you for the good wishes!
Choke,
Celebrate the day! Frame that card from Livvie! I hated turning 39, it felt like I was lying, like I was already 40 but didn’t want to say it…
I think you have gained & grown so much in your 30′s. Never would I have expected you to be the one with 2 kids, a cat & a dog…..I think its awesome! It feels like yesterday that we were sitting at a kitchen table debating the pros & cons of condiments.
Love you & Miss you, Happy Happy Birthday! I am so glad we’ve reconnected!!!
Caryn
Sweetie, I remember when you told me you got hysterical when you turned 25.
Love you so much.
Happy Birthday, Julie. You’ve had an amazing 9 years and I bet this year will be good too. 20′s are better than teens, 30′s are better than 20′s, so it’ll be good. Just enjoy every day, and don’t get caught up in the numbers.
Happy Birthday. 40 will be fine.
A most Happy Birthday…
for what it’s worth, I’ve found life gets better…at least more interesting.
but no promises.
It will be what it is,
we have to make the best of it, what ever comes.
When I was young I thought nothing was happening in
the world…now that I’m older I think back at what great shit I’ve lived through and I’m still standing!
Take care of yourself…
Happy Birthday Julie!
Hope you had a great birthday!
Happy birthday, Julie! My experience is life only gets better and better.
My kittychild is a diabetic. He was diagnosed very early at age 4 and had been on insulin (twice daily) ever since. He’ll turn 12 this year.
I love meeting others who have cared for diabetic cats. It’s horrific how many people claim they would have “just put him down” when I talk about my Aidencat.
That is early Dx. Poor guy.
Clancy was 12 at Dx, and kidney failure took him at 15.5. He’d been off insulin and diet controlled for over a year.
Happy Birthday! What a nice post. It’s good to focus on the positives on your birthday – kind of like gifting yourself with those pleasant memories.
I’m more than halfway through “39″ and it’s really not bad. You’ll be fine
Thank you, all! It was a pretty good birthday for the most part. Both kids behaved fairly well.