What Does it Mean to Be Middle Aged?

Middle aged, what does that entail? Do any of us really know? Recently having turned 41, I have taken a broader look at my world and myself. Every where you see commercials promoting this skin cream, and that skin cream, promising to give you back your youthful appearance and texture. These types of commercials insinuate that getting older is just plain terrible, not only are you to get wrinkles, you are to hate them. Gray hair is socially not attractive, and the hair you once had, can be possible if you color it or even take on your daughters highlights. I say that is a very wrong way to look at getting older. Looking forward to living, and maintaining all your faculties should be what we strive for, don't you agree? Who wants to be hobbling because of a bone fracture, or who wants to rely on wheelchairs, how about a urine pad, for those time we leak when we can't get to a bathroom? Now these things happen to most of us as we age, and I think they should be the most foremost in our minds not how many wrinkles we have.

"When life hands you lemons, make lemonade"...who wrote that? What if you do not like lemonade? Then maybe you can make a foliating juice for your face, hands or nails, or you can shine your cabinets. Think about it, why should we settle for what a money making industry is telling us, things like "No one wants to look in the mirror and see their mom or dad", well what if they do! I have found that middle aging can be a time of reflections, joys and desires. I as a mom, know that it gives me a sense of relief to know that I have made it through school, work, and now own a home, car, have three children and have stayed married for 15 years. When I talk to my children and tell them about things to come in their lives, I find relieved that I do not have to go and do those things over again. I feel a sense of accomplishment, and when giving advice to my children, a sense of wisdom. These are the types of things that being middle age gives a person.

Now there are some of us out there who think that life should be kept at a certain level, but let me tell you there is nothing in my life that ever stays the same or at the same level. I do like though that life brings me surprises, you know ones that sometimes are reality checks. Thinking to myself I have thought about all the tired bones, muscles, and things that I have coming around lately. I do not like having those types of problems, but I deal with them as best I can, and that is when i see how old I really am. That is okay though because that is life, that is what builds in each of us a will to keep going, to push through it, and overcome, which in turn makes us better people.

Middle agers can get respect, they can teach,and really love. Really love in that when we are young, love is not something we have cured, it is new. A cured love and ability to love is something that comes from trial and effort, experiences and those we have known. I like that kind of love, just like you do not put an iron skillet on the burner without curing it first, you cannot know real love until it is cured, or "seasoned".

So what if you do not have the stamina of a twenty year old, or you cannot remember where you put that car key, maybe your hair is showing some grays, you still are great. You have had a privilege to live and laugh and love. Think about all those young people who have lost their lives early in life and never had the chance to live. Maybe the next time you hear in the news about a cancer victim dying to soon, you will appreciate making it to middle age. I have and I do.

A wise person once said "Rather be Middle Ager than an old fart, or a young and foolish man." These are words you can take to the bank... I have had so many memories, so many things in my life of 41, and i am grateful for them. Lines and wrinkles bring it on! Aches and pains, I will manage, but memories I will never replace.