My birthday was just a few days ago. It was a wonderful birthday spread out over five days beginning with Monday and running through today. Every day there was celebration. All my family phoned: my mom, sis, and three children no longer at home. Drew was home, John took the night off, and it was just splendid. My very dear long-time friend called the evening of the actual day. As we always do, we reflected on our lives and laughed...and laughed...and laughed. She's three weeks and one day older than me. "Do you feel as old as we are?" I asked. Her answer was something like "No, I really don't." And then we looked back not on the best birthdays but the ages we most enjoyed. I really liked 7. I liked my teacher when I was 7. I loved being 7. In fact deep inside of me, some part of me is still 7. Another part is 27. That's when I realized I could be glamorous and beautiful. OK, so I was a late bloomer - but I made the most of it. Thirty-five was good too. By then I was married with three children, a bachelors degree, a masters degree and children, and the profession of my heart's desire. I was accomplished, competent, and upwardly mobile
Forty-nine was a great year. My doctorate studies were nearly complete. Two of our children were married and on their own. My work was deeply gratifying, and when I turned 50 I was looking forward to the next half century with robust optimism. Then it was rough sledding for a while. But a three hour horseback ride on the prairie with a dear friend revived a youthful spirit. And I owe my full recovery and rejuvenation to my two equine friends Duke and Lida Rose. (But that's another story). Some one once said, "To stay young, find an age and stick to it." I think having friends of all ages is one way to keep young. I am grateful for a full range from very young to very mature. Every year, I have enjoyed the age I am because I know I won't be that age again. As my grandpa used to say: "I'm not as young as I used to be or as old as I'm gonna be." So, whatever age you are (or would like to think you are) enjoy my ice cream birthday cake...a throw back to my first favorite age...seven.