A New Stage of Life

Today is my last day in my early 30s. Tomorrow I will be 35 and will begin a new stage of life. I am not necessarily sad about this realization but simply taking the time to appreciate my past and how much I have learned in my 34 years. I will definitely miss the sense of still being "young" with many exciting milestones ahead of me such as graduation, starting my "real" job, buying my first house, meeting "the one", getting engaged, getting married, honeymooning, being pregnant, nursing my precious baby in the middle of the night. All of these things I have experienced with great joy, however I will never again encounter these precious moments in life.

I look forward with hope that my upper 30s and 40s can be some of the best years yet. I may not feel the tiny kicks from a babe growing inside of me but I get to watch my three amazing children grow into teenagers and young adults. Many say that the adolescent years are very trying years for a parent, but I am convinced that there can be some pretty awesome moments as well. Jentry will be 10 this summer and I am beginning to see a glimpse of what our relationship might grow to be as she matures into a young lady. I may worry and pray for my children constantly but I believe watching them learn and come into their own will bring me a kind of joy I have never experienced.

I have learned a great deal about myself and some hard life lessons in the last 34 years. All of these days will only make the next stage of life all the more enjoyable. I know who I am. I know more of what I like and don't like. I know more of what is important to me and what is not. I am more confident in the skills God has given to me and I know where I need to continue to grow. My fear of missing out is diminishing. I have a sense of security and respect that were not present in my 20s.

The next decade will be busy but I will also become less needed for daily tasks. I will gradually get some minutes back for myself, which will be welcomed with open arms. My children will become more capable of doing real chores. Amen! In the summer, I will sit by the pool with a good book, my one-piece bathing suit and not give a damn about my white spider-vein legs.

Cheers to the next 35 years! May they be filled with a new joy that can only be experienced with age.