Friday, September 12, 2014

Tomorrow I Will Be Fifty Years-Old


Tomorrow I will be fifty years-old. Fifty. This amazes me. I can't quite wrap my mind around it. When I look in the mirror, I often catch myself off guard, expecting to see younger me. Younger me is somewhere in her late thirties, I'm not sure why that age has stuck in my head but she's the me I look like in my mind.

Because of my dance with drugs and alcohol as a young woman, I never expected to live past twenty-five. After getting sober at twenty-three, I realized that I had no plan, no real concrete goals or any idea of how to get there. As my friends were graduating from college, I left behind my dodgy, short-lived college days and I went to work. I decided to wing it.

In my twenties and thirties, I traveled. I had curly hair and then straight. I enjoyed two careers that were fun and interesting. I spent time with some sweet dogs and cats. I learned to bake bread. I wore dangerous high heels. I made true friends. I had my heart broken. I drove a convertible. I read. I wrote. I stayed sober. They were interesting seasons.

Ten years ago, I met Mr. Rosenberg. Within the year, Bob was on his way. Thanks to an internet dating site and a game changing sushi dinner date in Korea Town, I had managed to stumble into the loves of my life. Now, is my season of motherhood. The soccer games and PTA meetings and wild boys chasing a dog through the house are everything. The tiny moments of folding laundry or helping with homework are lifted up in prayers of gratitude.

I think of a the final scene in Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory. Gene Wilder as Willy Wonka has just told Charlie that he will be inheriting the Chocolate Factory. Charlie is, of course, thrilled. Willy Wonka ends the conversation with, "But Charlie, don't forget what happened to the man who suddenly got everything he'd always wanted... He lived happily ever after."

Tomorrow I will be fifty years-old. I am living my happily ever after.












51 comments:

  1. A very happy birthday. You've made me smile. It is because of you that I started writing about my son on my blog. Thank you. And hence, I want you live, and live long and happy. :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. And this is why I always start my morning with your blog. Happy birthday. May I be half as lovely when I'm 50.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Yes. This IS the happily ever after. Happy birthday, beautiful woman!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Wishing you the happiest of birthdays and the happiest of the ever afters.

    ReplyDelete
  5. A very happily ever after birthday to you.

    ReplyDelete
  6. What a beautiful post! Happy birthday, dear friend.

    XO
    A.

    ReplyDelete
  7. AH! I love this. And you! Happy Birthday sweet girl. xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  8. Since you require at least one guy to wish you happy birthday, I wanted to be that guy.
    Happy Birthday!!!! I can tell you that it only gets better

    ReplyDelete
  9. Happy Birthday Dear Lady. I'm so glad you are happy.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Happy birthday, Lisa, and welcome to the 50s! I've been saving a spot for you since March. Have a wonderful birthday weekend! xo

    ReplyDelete
  11. Beautiful post! Happiest of birthdays to you special lady!

    ReplyDelete
  12. A birthday is a perfect time to tell someone what they've been in your life. You, Bob, your kindness and friendship to me and mine in the past five years has made a difference. Life is big, life is small, and the moments in between, are everything. I love you, Smacksy. Happy birthday, friend.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You are too wonderful! Thank you so much for your kindness. Love to you. xoxo

      Delete
  13. You inhabit the age in a lovely way. Happy birthday.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Happy birthday! You look amazing! Just amazing! And what a life. I'm so glad you've made it to 50, and here's to 50 more!

    ReplyDelete
  15. happy birthday you beautiful lady.

    ReplyDelete
  16. OMG. Woman. You. 50? Amazing. The best is so very yet to come. #virgoseason

    ReplyDelete
  17. Happy birthday to you. You look, write, and act amazing for any age.

    ReplyDelete
  18. You put a face on 50 that everyone should be proud of…Happy Birthday.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Heck!
    I miss one day and almost missed this.
    Happy birthday!
    ...and congratulations on the 27 years of sobriety.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Happiest of days, lady! I hope your boys spoil you! xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  21. You are beautiful at fifty. And loved. And happy. Wow. I am jealous -- even though I'm not yet 50.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Happy belated Birthday,you fifty no way you look a gorgeous 30,xx Rachel and Speedy

    ReplyDelete
  23. Wishing you the happiest of Birthdays!
    Sorry this is late!
    You look absolutely amazing for fifty.
    Sending you lots of well wishes.
    Your Number 1 Aussie Fan
    Mandy

    ReplyDelete