Ahh, getting "old"

I hear it from women all the time on facebook, twitter, and  in real life "I can't believe I'm turning xx age this year." I'm just as guilty at times. Who isn't? I am friends with so many fabulous ladies of all ages. And I learn so much from you all; we all have so much to offer no matter our age. And obviously, we all go through the aging process, well..if you are one of the lucky ones that is. The unlucky ones? They don't get the opportunity to age. It's weird to think of getting older as an opportunity but it is. Aging is a great gift .. the gift of life. It's hard for us women to see that sometimes. Especially when all the shows we watch show women injecting all kinds of crap into their faces in an effort to turn back time.

In less than 2 years, I'll be turning 40. I won't lie. Thinking about it doesn't make me want to break out into a dance and sing a Katy Perry song. But in a weird way, I am looking forward to it. My 30s were SO much better than my 20s. So shouldn't that mean my 40s should be even greater? Oprah said the 50s were the best years. All I know is that I hope I have the opportunity to see my 50s and beyond. To grow old gracefully. To be wiser and experience everything that life has to offer.

This post is in honor of my mama who turns 70 this weekend. I wish I knew how to explain where the time went. I hope I am half the woman she is at 70. She can run circles around me on any given day. She's an amazing mother, faithful wife of 40 years, loyal sister of 9 siblings, Christ-follower and devoted friend to many. And she's not only my mother, she's my best friend.

Happy 70th Birthday mom. You truly are the epitome of aging gracefully.

"There is a fountain of youth: it is your mind, your talents, the creativity you bring to your life and the lives of people you love. When you learn to tap this source, you will truly have defeated age." –Sophia Loren