Last Day in my 40's

December 21, 2023

Today is the last day in my 40's. When I turned 30 and then 40, this date wasn't that big of a deal, but for some reason, tomorrow is a big deal. It's like I'm about to graduate or get on a cruise ship or step into the "twilight zone" (whatever the hell that is).

Today, while at my office, I had moments where I wasn't sure if I should pack up everything and move to the farm in Red Bay or plan out my next trip. I was all over the place today.

And emotions, what the hell is going on with this. I'm usually not a very outward emotional guy. But for some reason, over the last several weeks, I've been in this very nostalgic mindset, and everything seems to take me back to some meaningful point in my life.

Don't get me wrong, I cherish those memories, but not necessarily every time I go to Publix to buy a rotisserie chicken. There I am just trying to get dinner for my dog Texas and myself and I'm having flashbacks of my sweet Granny Mason, in her kitchen, frying chicken in her iron skillet with her little apron and Isotoner house slippers on. She'd shout a little too, while she fried the chicken.

Ya'll, I'm bawling as I am checking out. The sweet lady checking me out at Publix, asks, "are you ok" and I reply, "yes, I'm just having a special flashback of some fried chicken and some Isotoner house shoes". Can any of you relate?

Then there's this... "I don't want to sit at home and be alone" mode. Normally I like my "me time". Since I deal with people on an all-day basis in my profession, I do like my "quiet and alone time". I am a true Gen Xer. But lately, I find myself just going places so that I don't have to sit at home or so that I can just be around other people.

No, I'm not losing my mind, I'm turning 50 tomorrow.

I know everyone says, age is just a number, and I don't disagree. It's really not about the age number for me, but it's more about the season of life I find myself in.

Having a birthday at Christmas doesn't make it any easier either. I didn't have many birthday parties as a kid, since everyone was always busy at Christmas with holiday events, etc. and no one could come. So, my birthday would get rolled up into the holiday gatherings. It's not the same. As an adult I've always tried to celebrate in some way.

A slightly older friend said to me this week, well if you don't have any Dr's appointments on your birthday, then you are doing good. He said, you know once you reach a "certain age" (whatever that is) most people start scheduling all of the annual medical stuff around their birthday.

I thought, dear Lord, I might as well just go ahead and check myself into the "Country Cottage Senior Care" facility and sign up for pickle ball. Ya'll, I know I'm not dead, I'm just turning 50 tomorrow.

But here we are, tomorrow I turn 50. Here's to the 49 before this one. It's my BestLife50 and I intend to live it to the fullest. Ya'll stay tuned.