Laugh Away, Merrill, Laugh Away

Recently, my wonderful husband, in an attempt to get his first-year Composition students to sharpen their skills of observation and description, sent his students a picture of me standing in front of the El Comador restaurant in Old Mesilla in New Mexico taken some 8 years ago. He said nothing about who, what, or where...just asked them to describe the picture in detail and surmise what it is about. The responses started flowing in. "I see a lady holding a purse and wearing sandels, standing in front of a Mexican style building with lots of flowers around...," "I see an OLDER lady holding a purse...," "I see an OLD lady with grey hair, holding a purse...," I see an ELDERLY lady holding a purse..." The last one was the final straw. It was taken, after all, 8 years ago when I was in prime of my youth...the forties!!!! Yes, it is true, birthdays come fast and furious. I'm peeking around the corner of yet another birthday! And there is the long and short of it. I will be 54 tomorrow- touching my mid-fifties. And with that comes all of the aches and pains that are associated with someone who is so "elderly." :). Those things that got done with a minimum of effort 8 years ago, now seem to take longer, be a bigger deal, and increase the nap time. I find myself going to bed earlier, waking up BEFORE the crack of dawn, and making more lists than Carter had pills. I forget things more easily (just ask my daughter) and find that sitting in a chair, especially if I can put my feet up, causes an automatic response called snoring. What is THAT all about??? However, I also recognize the other side of the coin... the short of it, if you will. I am here getting ready to celebrate another birthday. Can I just say, that that sure beats the alternative!!!!! I am thrilled that I have seen another year, have had the privilege of living and laughing with my wonderful husband. We have had a blast!! I've had the pleasure of seeing my daughter on a regular basis and sharing in the exciting things going on in her life...what a joy that is. And I got to have the twins, Billy and Cindy, together in the same room and got to spend time with them. I absolutely loved it! A little over a year ago, we went to Wales to see Christina, Gwyndaf, and Daniel. What fun we had staying in a little authentic Welsh cottage and visiting with them. It was great fun getting to know our Grandson. What a joy! It's going to be equally as much fun getting to know our little granddaughter, Tabitha. We've been anxiously awaiting her arrival these past nine months. She is due any moment now. :) IT HAS BEEN SOME TIME!! I am thankful for every single day and moment of this year. I am thankful beyond words, that I am here and that I have had the joy of doing all of this! It has been wonderful. And so....I am celebrating like mad. I am doing the happy dance of joy...I am yelling at the top of my lungs...HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ME!!!! Thank you, Lord, for allowing me this year of living and laughing. WHAT A WONDERFUL THING...having a birthday to celebrate another year of life and laughter. Move aside Merrill, I am swinging away!!!