Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Wait... when did I become middle aged?

Well, hi.  My name is Tricia and I am 41 years old.  This is my first ever blog entry.  I have been following and reading different types of blogs for some time now.  I find people, and their ideas so interesting.  Most of the blogs I follow are written by clever young twenty/thirty-something year olds, just beginning their journey through life.  I thought it might be interesting and somewhat entertaining to blog the life of someone heading into her middle aged years... and trying to do it gracefully.

This is not an easy thing to do.  I didn't wake up one day and feel older, or ready for middle age at all.  When I pass a mirror, I am always a little surprised at who I see in the reflection.  I expect it will still be that fresh faced girl, far from perfect, but at least perfectly young.  Wrinkles crept up on me. The hair on my head is graying and thinning, while obnoxious thick hair grows in places I had never imagined.  Gravity is no friend to any of my parts.  And while I still consider myself mainly a stay at home mom, I do have a very part time job in the beauty industry as an esthetician.  I'm sure being in this industry makes me more critical of myself, and of my appearance. The physical part of aging sometimes leaves me feeling defeated.

That being said, I know now at 41, that I am wiser.   I know that I understand, and appreciate things more completely.  I know how to love, and how to be loved in return.  I know that I am so close to accomplishing what is, in my mind, the best thing anyone can accomplish.  I am raising two of the most amazing kids, who have already shown signs that they will be productive and compassionate human beings.  I have a daughter who is a senior in high school, and a son who is a sophomore.  I am not done parenting them yet, but I am so proud of the people they are today.  My next challenge will be learning to let them fly on their own.  I can't believe that day is almost here.  This is going to be so hard for me.  But I can do it.  And I will keep trying to do it gracefully...

8 comments:

  1. Tricia ... smart, beautiful, witty, "graceful" ... can't think of anyone's blog that I'd want to follow more. Loved this post and I look forward to reading many more.

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  2. As an also 41-year old, I appreciate this do much. And I can relate! 41 or 31, you are one of the most beautiful people know (inside & out.)

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  3. You are one of the most beautiful women I know - still look 20 to me ;)

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  4. I love you and loved reading your blog! You are one of my best friends up here in the burbs and I am grateful to have you in my life. Happy blogging mama.

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  5. You are as beautiful as the day I met you so long ago in our middle school days!!! I was driving today, unfortunately unable to be the stay at home mom I want to be, and wishing I was home with my kids. Then honestly, I though am I really almost 42 years old? I don't feel old...unfortunately the eyes staring back in my review mirror were that of every bit my 41 AND A HALF years..ha!

    SO for what it is worth...I think the realization that life is going fast over takes our realization that we are even close to mid life!!! ARen't we still young? Did life really go this fast? Am I doing all I should be or should have?

    I think you answered it right on in your first blog. Our job, to raise responsible, happy, healthy children. Not just raise but truly help them be the best possible humans they can. They are, after all, our future, and our past....deep swallow of tears for that thought. But in reality they are our everything....and you my love have done not only your job as a wife, and mom, but as a middle aged hot chick...perfectly...so I hope you look in that mirror and see the beautiful person, inside and out that I imagine the whole world sees!!!! Hugs and good luck with this...I think it will be a success for sure!

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  6. Kelee said it perfectly! Good luck with this new adventure. If anyone of us 41 year-old stay-at-home (or working) moms can age gracefully, it will absolutely be you! Thanks for blogging about all the things that are going through our minds! You're the best! Can't wait to read more!

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  7. What a beautiful piece of writing! I'll follow for sure. I must add though, from the perspective of a 63 year old, 41 does not qualify as "middle-aged.". But, you will get there eventually and I'm eager to read your philosophy and techniques for doing so gracefully.

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  8. Oh Trish, I love your blog...so happy to have found it!! Every word you said resonated with me!! I too have a senior in HS and he will be heading off to college next fall (God willing!) And I already miss him. I know that the day we move him into the dorms will be one of the most exciting/happiest days of his life, but one of the saddest for me! The hardest part of being a parent is learning to let go...I love that you said our children our on loan to us for 18 years. It is so true!! If we do our job right, they will smoothly transition into the world and become a productive member of society. And hopefully, they will even want to spend time with us - by choice - when they become adults!! I look forward to following your journey ... Keep at it, girl!!!

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