Run Walk Repeat

A Fun Life At All Paces

I am Fifty Years Young | Monday Minute

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Remember Sally O’Malley from Saturday Night Live? She was one kicking and stretching lady.  Somehow this weekend I joined her ranks of those who have lived half a century- gulp! Me and Sally O’Malley, we’re 50 years old, rather fifty years young.

Its funny in past decades, oh yes, I am DECADES old, as I approached the first digit + the Big 0, I had all kinds of issues and worries.

10 – Mom had the talk with me and I am dreading the training bra. Fifth grade was SO MUCH HOMEWORK, I missed my carefree after school time.  Oh the trials of youth.

20 – My mom met her husband at 22, I had zero prospects in sight. I thought at 20 I better live it up before its time to settle down. Sadly my sister died just before my birthday, same month suddenly at 25, then my mom passed away later 8 months later.  I had a crazy year dealing with the loss of my two best friends in life. Thanks to my college friends for being there for me that year, and STILL. Quite frankly I was a mess at 20, and lived it up a bit too much.

30 – I told people for 3 years before I hit the big 3-0 I was thirty…it just sounded so old.  I felt  like an old maid.  My mom, sister and grandmother had gotten married at 23, I was so behind with no prospects in sight. THAT is even more hysterical, I was no where near ready to be married at 23.

40 – Total despair, not related to the number but the situation I was in. My birthday was one month after we buried my 16week premature son Caleb. I felt helpless and wondered if I would ever be a mom and was in the depths of “Why Me???”  Totally a natural byproduct of infant loss.  Forty was when I realized that my body was getting ready to change too since my chances of having another baby were not good. I felt limited and that was depressing.

Oh y’all, life was not all doom and gloom really, just reflecting back today where I was at the dawn of each new decade of my life.

Fifty is different. Like Sally O’Malley I am not ashamed of my age. I embrace it and am thankful that I am not in the depths of a sad circumstance that I was at 20 and 40. At fifty I am training for my first – and only – full marathon, lots of stretching involved there.

Do I feel old? Heck no.  I am still in my youth.  Just ask Victor Hugo!

fiftyistheyouthofoldageI am old enough to now appreciate the joys just sitting in a chair on the beach watching the sun pass overhead feeling the breeze and hearing the waves. And that is some wisdom as life’s simplest pleasures do not come often. I vow to spend less time worrying and more time just enjoying being – hey we are human BEINGS right?

Thanks to all who sent birthday wishes. I was overwhelmed with the greetings from so many friends I have made throughout all phases of my life, from the time I was worried about shopping with mom at Sears for that first trainer, to well getting up to train for the Walt Disney World Half and everything in between. I have friends of all ages, which keeps me young. This fifty thing, has been a piece of cake to be honest.

With age, I have realized. The first digit of your age, does not matter. I want to focus the next 10 year on just living my life to the fullest – even in the simple moments.

Do Birthday’s Ever Bother You?

 

 

 

 

 

Julie @RunWalkRepeat
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About Julie @RunWalkRepeat

Wife, Mom, Southerner, Former Cubicle Dweller, Sting Fanatic and Reluctant Runner. I got started on family a little later in life than most and run for my health. A fan of Food, Entertainment, Travel, Galloway Running and Disney, I like to find the fun in all things in life.

Comments

  1. Christine @ We Run Disney says

    What a beautiful post, Julie. I’m about to turn 33 later this week (Thursday to be exact) and have been struggling with this age. I’ve hit the point where not only are all of my friends married, but they all have kids now too. My single-dom sometimes feels like a scarlet “S” emblazoned on my chest. Your perspective on your 5 decades was brilliant and I appreciate you sharing a bit of yourself in this post.
    Christine @ We Run Disney recently posted…Clif Protein and Electrolyte Beverage Review + GIVEAWAYMy Profile

    • Julie @RunWalkFastpass says

      I got married at 38 so I hear ya in full force. I know it can be hard, but somehow I got involved in activities and found “people like me”. When I was feeling sorry for myself I would try to find something to volunteer in. In hindsight I wouldn’t change a thing.Happy Birthday, the 30s were GREAT and the 40s even better. Hugs to you.

    • Julie @RunWalkFastpass says

      You are WAY too kind Shannon! It was overwhelming but life has taken me in so many directions and I have been truly blessed to find fab people along the way who stick with me for some reason. Must be doing something right. 🙂 Thanks!