It’s my birthday week. As I chalk off yet another year of this possibly final chapter of my life, I’ve found time to reflect on it all.
I’m lucky enough to still have my high school friends, so it’s easy enough to recall those days.
When I went out into the world, I didn’t have a clue of what to expect. Until then, I had led a somewhat magical life of an all-protecting family. I really didn’t know how to fend for myself.
With age comes wisdom.
I muddled my way through and eventually found myself married and raising three kids.
I didn’t do everything right, but yet the marriage lasted 30 plus years, and the kids are now some pretty decent adults.
My interests have changed over the years.
It used to be sewing. Later, I found my passion and my livelihood in writing. Now I write, but somewhere along the way I learned to cook.
Husband Tom praises my efforts and says I could be a chef. I’m doubtful of that. I’m more of a country cook – with a flare.
Now my joy is watching my grandchildren grow, change, and learn.
At 17, I was graduating high school. I had a 23 inch waist and fat free arms and legs. I was as I said, clueless. Cute, but clueless.
Now I’ll be 73. The waist has spread and chubby extremities are in place. Cute is gone, but it has been replaced by wisdom and a few lines in my face to depict a life well lived. It’s a life worth living.
My dear friend, the late Simon Robles, who spent more than half of his life in a wheelchair, told me that he had no regrets. “My life has been a great ride,” he said.
Like Simon, my life has been a great ride.
Life is good today.
