30 - Something

Today is my 57th birthday. That seems so old. Yesterday Rich had mentioned that we had been married 37 years and I told him that couldn't be right - it seemed too long. However, the math doesn't lie. Those really are the numbers...but I really don't feel any differently than I did when I was in my twenties - or maybe my thirties - but it would have to be my early thirties.

This became a topic of conversation among Rich, Blair, Marsha and I at breakfast. Each of us feel exactly the same. We don't feel any differently...secretly I am trying to determine if that really means we haven't made any progress in our emotional, intellectual, moral, and social development LOL...but then we go to stand, sit, get on the floor, bend, run, or walk....ooooohhhhhhh! Then we "FEEL" old.

I remember watching Tina Turner on her comeback tour. She was performing for Oprah's tv program - and while I am not a Tina Turner aficionado I was truly amazed. She was in or nearing her 70's - she was practically my mom's age - and here she was struttin' her stuff. Obviously she had been training for this event and had the support that she needed to do so - but I wondered if she went home and crashed for two days after! LOL

All of a sudden my skin is drier than a bone. It sags and bags. It is thinning. My hair has become straw - without the joy of summer swimming. My nails have ridges and are thickening. This is not a pretty sight. But then, the alternative isn't really something I want either.

Despite my murmuring I am really grateful for each of these 57 years. They have been wonderful, in the aggregate, and even during the more challenging years there have been tremendous blessings and experiences that have tutored me in my efforts to become who I eventually want to be. I am really profoundly grateful to all of the individuals in my life that have put up with me, loved me, nurtured me, forgiven me, worked with me, and helped me be where I am today. We truly are as product of the times, the people, and the experiences we have.

Ironically I share this special day with one of my precious grandsons - Gideon Lee Bainbridge. He is 11 today. He was born a few days early in Monterey, California. I remember getting the call from his Dad about his birth. Phil (his Uncle) had been born on his Grandma Bainbridge's birthday just the day before mine and who would have guessed that I would have that same privilege.

Toni (his other Grandma) and I drove up from El Centro, California to share those early days with him and his parents. It was so much fun to hold that tiny little boy and at that moment it really appeared to me that he took after his Momma's side - and I still see that some - but I really see his Grandpa Bainbridge in him too. That means he'll be really handsome! LOL

Gideon has lived in Monterey, Texas, England, Alabama, Mississippi, Arizona, and now Ohio. He is gregarious and outgoing and so all the moves seem to come pretty easily - and I am so glad for that. He is an awesome student, smart as a whip. He loves video games (I hear he plays a mean guitar hero), matchbox cars, Phase 10 (with me!), playing with friends, and has recently taken up running - he has successfully run a couple of 5 and 10 km runs with his sisters and Dad. And I just know that he loves to have his toenails painted pink - huh Gid????!!!;) He is also very kind and loving and is a wonderful big brother to Glory, Scarlett, Levi and now little Reah. We hope this was a fantastic birthday, Gideon. We love you!