Turning 40

Ah, forty! These past months, I've been dreading this day. Now that the celebration is over, how do I really feel about turning 40?

Well, my arms are getting flabby; creases are beginning to show on my forehead; I can't seem to loose that bulge in my belly; I use eye drops to treat glaucoma; and I have other ailments that are too embarrassing to divulge. My body is definitely telling me that "hey, you've lived half of your life already, and it's just downhill from here on".

But I want to look at it as having another half of my life to live and realize the importance of living it now.

It dawned on me suddenly that at this age, there are some things that are important, others might be nice, but many that I don't need at all. I don't have to climb mountains. I have a new attitude - the "I don't care" attitude. There are little things that used to eat up a lot of my time with worry - now, those don't really matter any more. So what if my house never looked like those in the magazines? It's not simply a house, but a home, lived in, with plenty of messes and everyday clutter. Do i really have to sign up my children in every sports and after-school activities? No, I'd rather that we all get our down-time after a hard day at work and school, and enjoy dinner at the table every evening as a family. Yes, it's nice to have the newest, coolest gadgets and toys. But I'm not slaving myself and working too many hours just to keep up with the Joneses.

My joys are simple: holding hands with my husband, sharing a cookie with my boys, giving them good night kisses, joking and laughing with my friends, swapping stories with my siblings, snuggling with a good book.

Yes, I'm forty. And it's not just a number. It is a rite of passage, of being wiser and possessing wisdom. It's not by accident, but a result of maturity and experience, that in turn gives a sense of humility, resilience, patience, altruism and compassion. Why would I want to turn back the clock? I've never been as comfortable with myself and as content with my life. Forty. I love it! And I have a feeling that the best has yet to come.