Up, Up and Away

Since I’ve reached a certain age, the preciousness of time greets me when I wake up and reminds me to appreciate my days when I go to bed. Now that we live in a so-called empty nest, Tim and I have a bit more time to do some of the things we enjoy. And that includes pursuing activities that we’ve always wanted to do. I enjoy writing and until a few years ago, I have not taken the time to sit at my computer and peck away at the keys. What I write may never be published (except on my blogs) but I continue to pursue my dream of publishing a book someday. Along with that dream comes research for my writing.

Yesterday Tim and I drove to Middletown, Ohio where I hoped to go up in a hot air balloon. The balloon would have been tethered, meaning that it only rose a hundred or so feet in the air, but I would have experienced something new and so would Tim. The balloonists made a fine effort to accommodate us, but the wind won out. As we stood in line with hundreds of other people, we enjoyed the soft breeze blowing away the humid heat. Unfortunately, that same breeze caused safety issues with the balloons. We never did get to rise into the sky, but we did see how the balloonists prepare for flight, we watched forty or more balloons rise up to the challenge of a race and we sat amazed at the beauty of balloons lit up in the dark for the annual balloon glow. We may never get to ride in a balloon, but at least we tried. Turning fifty taught me one thing—put my fears aside and move toward my dreams.

Maybe we will even go back next year and try again. 

Watching Tow Mater

Saturday, I took my grandson Zeke to a movie. His mom warned me that he might be too young, he is right at 18 months. But never the less, I thought an air conditioned movie about colorful racing cars might just keep us cool and occupied for a few hours. Sure enough, he loved the race scenes, the cars flying after each other and he  watched anytime that lights flashed off and on. But, about half way through the movie, he crawled up on my lap and drifted off into his dreams. 


So that left me to listen to Larry the Cable Guy as he portrayed Tow Mater the Tow truck and helped out a couple of fancy spy cars. I never thought I would admit that I enjoyed watching animated cars act like people, but with that sweet little boy cuddled on my lap, trusting me to take care of him, I could have watched just about anything. I love the Grammy *Babaw side of fifty. 


*Babaw is what my grandkids call me :)

Older and Wiser?

I hear the rumble. The voice calling to me, but I'm not ready yet. It's coming ... ohhh ... another birthday. One that puts me almost to the halfway point, the one that holds me closer to 50 than 60. Oh yes, next week I will be blessed with 54 years on this earth. When I think about everything that I have experienced in these years, I stand amazed at the gifts from God, the lessons learned, the people loved and the mercy given.

I recently read a book called Leota's Garden  written by Francine Rivers. In the story Leota, a woman in her eighties has lived a life that tested her armor. She sacrificed when those closest to her did not even realize. She gave without taking and in the end, finally received abundant blessings. The story reminded me to love more, criticize less, think about the other person's circumstances and look to God for answers.

Hopefully, getting older means that I'm getting wiser. We'll see.

But hey--next year when I turn 55 I can eat off the senior's menu. Something to look forward to!

Maybe by 60

Since I turned 50 I've experienced a colonoscopy (and that is quite an experience), carpal tunnel surgery- both wrists, deviated septum corrective surgery and physical therapy for my back. More than one doctor encouraged me to lose weight and I cannot forget the delightful onset of perimenopause. (Did I mention that I can be sarcastic)


Today I found out that I need an MRI on my knee. Before Easter I fell over my ninety pound dog, Tater, then I went to sit down with my grandson and must have twisted my knee because I felt an excruciating pop accompanied by searing pain. Sometimes this type of injury heals itself, no such luck. So maybe the doctor knows a magic formula that will restore my crotchety old knee and send me on my way dancing and singing.  


I'm thinking that by the time I am 60 I will be patched back together, good as new. I love being an optimist.

Splish-splash

One thing I've learned about myself since I turned 50 is that I don't seem to care what other people think of the way I dress. Today for instance, I went to the splashpark with two of my daughters and three grandchildren. We had a blast. I played in the water in my mismatched bathing suit and I was not in least bit worried about anyone else looking at me. I dressed in a modest two piece, the bottom has a skirt and the top was long. The two pieces were purchased on sale at two different stores, so the colors were a bit off-but as long as they covered me, and there is plenty to cover, I was happy.  


We splashed and sprayed each other with the chlorinated water and watched the five year old slide down the water slide over and over. The two wee ones had fun trying to catch the water, a few times in their mouth, yuck. The freedom to enjoy the simple things in life comes with age. I no longer think about what would so-and-so say or worry about how I look. Enjoying time with the people I love is much more important and I'm thankful God gives me the opportunity to do just that.

People Joy

Ahhh...back home. I must have missed my bed because I slept about 10 hours last night. 


With a few days of vacation before I return to work next week, I plan to enjoy some quiet time (doing laundry) and spend time with family and friends. The older I get, the more I realize that people are the most important part of my life. I enjoyed gathering books and doodads at the conference and I love the artwork and items that fill my home, but without people to share all of this with what would be the point. 


As I walked through the CVG airport yesterday I heard voices calling, "Mom, mom!". I looked up and at the railing stood two of my daughters, Maggie and Sara, and my sweet little grandson, Eli. He grinned from ear to ear. Then when Maggie took me home, my dog tater was beside himself, seriously, he jumped back and forth and barked and barked. Olive tried to keep up, but she is a small dog and she had to wait her turn. And what a joy to see my husband Tim, my encourager and best friend. 


Yes, after 50 I've learned that people (and my dogs) make all the difference in my life. God has blessed me and I thank him for that.  

Heading Home

My bags are packed, I'm ready to go...home. New Orleans has treated me well. I've enjoyed the hospitality, the history and the beauty of this part of  America. I loved experiencing the seafood and the spicy soups. The beignets pleased my tastebuds, but now I am ready to bite into a juicy Wendy's cheeseburger or a slice of LaRosa's pizza.

I've learned that new experiences stretch me and keep me from being stagnant and I appreciate them so much. But I am looking forward to hugging my hubby, hearing my dogs bark as they jump on me and hanging with my kids and grandkids. When Maggie picks me up at CVG, she will find a tired but happy mama. I've lived in bookland for five days and now I must go home and incorporate all I've absorbed and learned into my world. One of the things I loved about this event was meeting so many kind authors, all so friendly and giving of advice. I worked on my own novel some and have ideas for a picture book story I've been trying to write for a few years. I am blessed!

With my trip coming to an end, I will continue blogging about life after 50.

So much could happen...