Sunday was my birthday and I turned 48. 🥳

Sunday was my birthday and I turned 48. 🥳

A few well-meaning friends joked about me turning "35 again", and I appreciated the positive intent. 😉

But I quickly responded to say "nope, I'm turning 48, and I've earned every minute of that 48 years." 😁

And I totally get it - some people have mixed or negative feelings about "getting older".

We live in a society that tells us getting older (and especially "looking" older) is something to prevent or fear. As if we become less valuable or less worthy of attention and celebration as we get older.

But I have found my life keeps getting better - more interesting and richer - with each passing year. Each conversation, adventure, and even quiet moment adds a little something special to the tapestry that is my life.

And yes, I miss people who are no longer here - my mother, and friends who made the world a better place.

But fighting against "growing older" won't bring them back. The world continues to turn and time continues to progress.

Missing my loved ones, loving them from afar, does not diminish my life or make it less rich. If anything, missing then reminds me of my own mortality, pushing me to make the most of each day I am still here, grateful to be alive and well.

So here I am, happily 48, and looking forward to exploring and growing even more during my 49th year in this world. ❤️

And I'm willing to bet this will be the best year yet. 😉

What about you?
Do you celebrate growing older or dread it? Or something in between?

Image: a selfie of me on my birthday morning - in my pajama shirt and pink dollar store reading classes (gotta keep a pair by the bed) making a goofy smile