Lessons Learned from a Self-Proclaimed 'Old Lady' ... a Tribute to My Mom on Her Birthday

I was 19 years old when my mom said these words to me: "Well, my life is half over!" It was her 40th birthday. I said, "Well good grief, Mother, you've got lots of life to live. Why don't you dwell on the negative."

That was 20 years ago. Today my mother turns 60 years old. And this year I will be 40.

Do I feel like my life is half over? I don't think I look at it that way. But, it does make you stop and consider the life you have lived and the life you have left.

This is especially true if 20 years has gone by in a blink of an eye and your mother's life is now "three-quarters of the way over." If you follow her logic I only have a short 20 years left to enjoy her. (Not trying to put you in the grave yet, mom, just following your logic!)

I would say that my mom and I have always been good friends. Sure, I was a teenager and she was a mom. And she was the mom of a teenager who didn't like to be told what to do, so that made it hard. And I don't rely on her as much as I should because I am now an adult who doesn't like to be told what to do, so I don't seek help most times when I need it.

But, we do share the same interests and love of family. We had a great day this past Saturday where we went to Kansas City and hit some subdivision garage sales and then toured model homes in the Kansas City Home Tour. We had lunch, went and bought some flowers and came back home. And we were alone. I don't remember the last time me and my mom did something alone ... together. It was a great day!

Her comments about the length of her life, and my realization that there is some truth to that, have me taking an "enjoy myself" day today. I woke up this morning to my printer not working, which means that very little planned schooling can occur today because most things needed to be printed. It's a beautiful, sunny day. This afternoon Eli's class is honoring their mothers at the Mother's Tea. I am currently sitting on the back porch (my favorite spot this side of Heaven), watching the dogs soak up the sun and drinking a cup of coffee. Does life get any better than this? (Well, I guess if I was in Bermuda with my husband, that might qualify.)

The point of all this is: Life is short. We should enjoy it. We don't know how long we have to live on this earth, so putting off enjoying life is a ridiculous thing to do.

This is a lesson I have learned from my mom. It's a great lesson to learn.

Don't sweat the small stuff. Just smile.

Thank you, mom, for being a wonderful mother! Have a Happy, Happy 60th Birthday! (And here's to another healthy and active 40 years, not 20!)