Friendships & Turning Forty

I'm forty years old. I'm forty years old. I'm forty years old. No amount of anti-aging products can change this new fact, this new reality. Am I really . . . middle-age? Officially no longer young? I guess so. There's nothing I can do to change it, so I'll embrace it. I'll embrace it by making a list of goals for my fortieth year. The list isn't complete due to my need to be realistic, but here are a few items:

1. Enjoy my children - a few more blinks & I'll be sending them off to college
2. Improve my relationship with the Lord
3. Develop talents that have remained latent for the last 15 years or so (violin & writing, to start with)
4. Work my butt off so that if people find out my age they'll be shocked (vain, I know, but I'm allowing myself at least one vanity due to my age)
5. Be Adventurous! (details to be worked out at a future date - this is where I need to be optimistic yet realistic)
6. Be Grateful - every single day -for the many blessings & tender mercies in my life

My sister Rachelle & hubby Jeff surprised me with a fantastic party at MiMi's Cafe. Friends were there (in person or in the form of letters) from almost every stage of my life - high school, college, Texas, & Utah. I was overwhelmed by the memories as I visited with all of these marvelous women, each of whom has shaped my life in many positive ways. The friends are my sisters, sisters-in-law, cousins, and women I have met over the years whom I love like my sisters. I also count my mom, aunts, and grandmother as some of my closest friends. I realized that, as a woman, these friendships have been invaluable to me. I would not be the person I am without having had them in my life, and I definitely would not have retained my sanity through the tough times without their love, support, and - occaisonally - chocolate. I look forward to at LEAST 40 more years of fabulous friendships with fantastic women.

Here's to Friends- to Infinity (or at least 40!) & Beyond!!