Getting Older Ain’t All Bad

Today is my birthday. My 37th birthday.

Sometimes I can’t believe that I’m nearing 40 because wasn’t college graduation just last year? Or didn’t I just get married? Or didn’t I just have my first baby(or even my third)?

Then again, I’m perfectly content with this age. Things change, absolutely, but something that change can be for the better. I asked some blogger friends to share with me how their lives are different now.

I might not have the groove any more, but now I have the grace.
No more searching for acceptance from others, but now I find it in myself.
I might not have the stamina of a marathon runner any more, but now I am damn good at a marathon nap. No more late nights out partying for me, but now there’s a THRILL in late night reruns on tv.  -Chris, The Mom Cafe

I might not be able to do the splits on the floor any more, but I can split up a fight between my boys. I’m also good at splitting the bill.  -Kelley, Kelley’s Break Room

No more midnight cocktails for me, but now I have daytime picnics and impromptu dance parties and always (always) someone (or three someones!) to share cake with.  -Galit, These Little Waves

No more whenever, wherever sex for me, but now my imagination is getting a workout trying to find time and places (and distractions for the kids). -Arnebya, What Now and Why

No more diapers, sleepless nights or babysitters for me, but now I share my life with two young ladies who delight, amuse and add to my life in more ways than I ever could have imagined … if that is what getting older brings – I’ll take it. -Nicole, Sisters from Another Mister

You’ll no longer find me sneaking in at 3AM after a long night of partying, but you will find me TRYing to sneak in without waking up my kid at around eleven after a fun laughter-filled night out with the girls! (She’s usually still awake, though!) -Andrea, Good Girl Gone Redneck

I might not be able to do a toe touch in the air anymore, but now I can run for more than three miles with obstacles without losing my lunch. While crying. I may still lose it and I might even cry, but not at the same time. And, you should see me in Zumba. Big. Freaking. Deal. Miley’s got nothing on me. -Amanda, Dude Mom

I might not be on the same journey you are…but I can still walk a mile in your shoes and rock my high heels doing it! -Kir, The Kir Corner

No more nightclubs for me, but now I still go to the bathroom in a pack (a pack of my children). -Kim, Shutterbag

I might not fit in size 3 pants any more, but now I rock the yoga ones.
No more fancy dinners but now I’m recognized by the staff at McDonalds. -Amber, Airing My Dirty Laundry

I might not have the ‘perfect’ fit body anymore; but I have the confidence and peace in life to know that it is okay. -Emily, EmmyMom

I might not be able to spend my weekends dancing until dawn but now I’m old enough to appreciate waking up dawn rather than sleeping my day away because I was dancing all night. Don’t get me wrong, I still love to dance. But I want to be home by midnight. -Lisa, Atypical Familia

“No more getting upset that there’s 5 loads of laundry that need to be folded, now I’m all about using it as a hideout when I hear the word “MOM!” being screamed.” -Tina, Life Without Pink

I might not be in my 20’s anymore, but now I know more about myself and what really matters. -Natalie, From Coporate to Domestic

I might not be 107 pounds anymore, but now I feel more comfortable in my own skin. No more wondering what I’ll be when I grow up, but now I know I’m strong enough to do/be anything I want to be & the best part is I couldn’t care less what other people think of my choices. -Deborah, The Truth About Motherhood

My Saturday nights used to include going out with my girls. Now they include Mario Kart marathons with my boys! -Adrienne, The Mommy Mess

And Alison from Writing, Wishing shared her favorite quote about birthdays:
“I’ve enjoyed every age I’ve been, and each has had its own individual merit. Every laugh line, every scar, is a badge I wear to show I’ve been present, the inner rings of my personal tree trunk that I display proudly for all to see. Nowadays, I don’t want a “perfect” face and body; I want to wear the life I’ve lived.” – Pat Benatar