I, more than anyone, know how to beat myself up. I’ve never been thin enough, pretty enough, motivated enough, and on and on I could go but…….I am trying to learn to be more kinder and gentler to myself. That is something I have easily been able to do for others but never for me. I guess I took being a cheerleader pretty seriously. I have been a cheerleader (literally and metaphorically) all my life. I have cheered people on for as long as I can remember and it is kinda sad to me that I could do it so freely for others and not for myself. And now, as I teeter on the edge of another decade (warning, it’s probably not a good idea to talk to me in November of 2025 because I don’t see this birthday being very welcome but who knows!) I do realize that I am still here for a reason. I remember thinking (and still do at times) “Why am I still here because Jeff would have done this survivor thing so much better than I ever could??” And then I think of Lord Tennyson, “Ours is not to wonder why. Ours is just to do or die.”  So here I am…..doing! Not doing what I thought I would be doing but I am doing. I’m doing things to make Jeff proud. I’m doing things when the opportunity presents itself. I’m trying to do things because I may never get the chance again and to live with regret is an awful thing. And back to me…….I’m doing things to see myself differently. I am going to admit, this is going to be a hard habit to break and I may not win this battle but I will continue to try as long as I can. Today, out of nowhere I saw this online and thought…..yup!!! This is SO true and very profound. I will read it daily to help me see my reflection differently. Well, here’s to trying!!!

Most of us are aging through the next phase of our lives. We’re at the age where we see wrinkles, grey hair, and extra pounds.

We see cute 25-year-olds and reminisce.

But we were also 25, just as they will one day be our age. We aren’t those “girls in their summer clothes” anymore. What they bring to the table with their youth and zest, we bring our wisdom and experience.

We have raised families, run households, paid the bills, dealt with diseases, sadness and everything else life has assigned us.

Some of us have lost those that we’re nearest and dearest to us.

We are survivors.

We are warriors in the quiet.

We are women, like a fine wine or classic car.

Even if our bodies aren’t what they once were, they carry our souls, our courage, and our strength. We shall enter this chapter in our lives with humility, grace, and pride over everything we have been through, and we should never feel bad about getting older.

It’s a privilege that is denied to so many.

~unknown