Thanks to Geraldo Rivera’s now infamous Too. Much. Information tweet-pic of his seventy-year-old naked torso – and he damn near showed us Christmas and ALL the presents – I’ve noticed quite a bit of conjecture by the media regarding age, aging, anti-aging, youth, beauty, and wrinkles. Under headlines such as “Is Seventy the New Fifty?” everyone seems to be professing new benchmarks such as forty is the new thirty or fifty is the new forty.
Here’s an idea – how about we all try this one on for size:
Fifty is the New FIFTY.
Period.
Yep, I’m turning the Big 5-0 this week, happily joining “Club Fifty.” I’m DELIGHTED to be turning fifty! True, I would rather not be dealing with the injustices of menopause, but all decades bring challenges, obstacles, and joys:
- My 20’s were a blur of attending and finishing college (a truly wonderful time in my life – GO NOLES!); landing my first real grown-up job; marriage; child birth – which brought to me a soul mate in my son Jimmy; and the purchasing of my first home.
- My 30’s featured the downfall of divorce; single parenthood; a new wonderful independent life in D.C. – and with it an amazing career boost.
- My 40’s offered a new marriage; seeing my son graduate from high school – and college (!); and writing and publishing I Was In Love With a Short Man Once.
- My 50’s – ?? Can’t wait!
One of the many facets of turning fifty, which I most appreciate, is that fifty brings perspective. At fifty I have arrived at the party. At fifty I have become comfortable in my own skin. Now don’t get me wrong – I always have room for improvement. But I find that as I enter this fifth decade I have now grown into my looks and my personality. I’m loud, I laugh at all the wrong parts of a movie, and I accept who I am. Fifty feels good; like a well-fitting red coat that looks perfect with the right pair of black boots.
(Image Source: Flickr. Ianqui, “Red & Gold”) http://www.flickr.com/photos/ianqui/358733254/
I am enjoying, more than ever, relationships with my gal pals who are also dancing around, or fully ensconced in, Club Fifty status. In this past year I’ve discovered wonderful groups and terrific women – many of whom focus on addressing the needs and concerns of those of us who Suzanne Braun Levine calls “women in their second adulthood.” A few of my favorites include:
- Generation Fabulous (The Voice of Midlife)
- Fab Over Fifty (Where Women of Substance Share Their Style)
- Kathi Casey (The Healthy Boomer Body Expert)
- Zest Now (For Women Fifty and Forward)
- Ellen Dolgen’s “Menopause Mondays” are not to be missed (Health and Wellness Advocate)
- The Women of Facebook
So, here we go gals. Won’t you join me in the middle-aged cheap seats? I guarantee a scenic view and a helluva ride.
Have you had a favorite decade? Do you think that age fifty for us is very different from the age of fifty for our parents?
Cheers,
Kimba