Age: the length of time during which a being or thing has existed.

“Well, I’m at that age…..” How many times has that phrase been part of a conversation you’ve had recently or ever for that matter? What exactly is age. In order to help establish it in my own mind as I sit down to write today I first went to Google search and typed in ‘definition of age’ and the above short phrase was the majority answer. What I did not do is choose to explore Google Images with the word “age” to see what photos are associated with it; I think that would be an interesting search. I’ll save that for another day.

Even though we are still in the month of September I’m looking ahead to November when I exchange one decade of birthday celebrations for another–I will turn 60. When I do so another popular phrase will echo in my mind and I’m certain from at least one friend…”where has the time gone?” Indeed, where has the time gone and yet of more significance to me is “what am I doing WITH my time and WHAT have I accomplished in my 60 years? Completing a descriptive answer to those questions would require more space than I allow myself but I would like to give a list of my ‘accomplishments’ thus far:

1. Became a delight to my parents who after two sons received a daughter on Nov. 5, 1953. Dad had served in WWII and the Korean Conflict so I am most certain my mother was grateful to have her husband return home.
2. Graduated high school in 1971 and business school in 1972 and secured a full time position with a local bank (which is now Chase Bank)
3. Married in 1974….divorced in 1979…..remarried in 1980 and soon to celebrate 33 years with Jim.
4. Birthed our daughter Sarah at age 29, welcomed Daniel at age 34
5. Moved to Fowlerville in 1989, leaving our families in Saginaw where we both were born and thought would remain
6. Served two terms on Board of Education for Fowlerville Schools
7. Said goodbye to my mother-in-law in 1995, my own mother in 1999 and my father in 2012
8. Worked 10 years for our community newspaper
9. Served in various roles at our local church and currently enjoy the privilege of teaching women from the Word of God
10. Have received training/teaching through Victorious Ministry Through Christ, a healing ministry
11. Have enjoyed three visits in the last 6 years to California where I have lifelong friends
12. Have a restored friendship with a “bestie” whom we have spent summers along the shore of Lake Huron and her home in Illinois
13. Rid ourselves of consumer debt except for the mortgage on our home
14. Experienced 3 laps in a Nascar vehicle on the track in Brooklyn, Michigan
15. Attempted a snowboard at the age of 40+……
16. Ran my first 5k (I did walk a lot of it) on July 13, 2013
17. Ran my 2nd 5k (I walked about 1/4 of it) on Sept. 7, 2013
18. Became a Mentor Mom in the MOPs ministry in 2012
19. Sang my first solo at age 19
20. Read my Aunt Esther’s book in 2012–she published this book at age 88

Number 20 is the heart of my heart today as I ponder “what is age”. My Aunt Esther is a retired school teacher. She is also a widow and she thrives on staying alert and purposeful. The fact she wrote her book is cause enough for a loud cheer, yet what encourages me is her approach to life. She is one of my dad’s sisters and although she will make an occasional joke about ‘being a little bit old, or a little bit hard of hearing’ her main focus is on the ‘now’. Will I write a book? I don’t know, but I am writing a weekly blog. I’ve written human interest articles in past years for our newspaper. I don’t know where my love for writing will take me. I’m focusing on my own ‘now’.

I’ve decided that my ‘now’ looks like a woman who is very happy to be back home full time after working for the last 10 years. I’m really enjoying the quality time I have to be outside exercising or showing up at my trainer’s gym for my twice a week workout. I’ve had time this summer to be a bum and I’ve had ample time to read one of the many books that have been waiting for their pages to be devoured. My decision to return home has also opened up my calendar to be available to spend precious time with our adult children, deposits into my emotional tank that may have been lost if not for the choice I made in May 2013.

To those that would say to me “you’re old” my response is “No, no I’m not old. Age is a number.” Furthermore, it’s also not a ‘dirty’ word (my opinion) and honestly I believe has become so because of ‘fear. If you ask me what adjectives I would connect to age this would be my brief list: wisdom…..knowledge…..experience……change…..anticipation…….maturity.

If it weren’t for my older aunts I would have no one to call on when I need Biblical Wisdom. If it weren’t for Knowledge I would not have had my mother-in-law to help further my sewing skills. If it weren’t for Experience I wouldn’t have had a good friend Janet to encourage me about living in hard financial times. If it weren’t for Change I wouldn’t have Grandpa Jewell’s testimony of accepting Christ when he was 55. If it weren’t Anticipation I wouldn’t have our family history of mother’s parents coming to America in 1910 and 1913.

Finally, if it weren’t for Maturity I’d probably say a lot more stupid things than I already do at times, out loud or on Facebook. I turn 60 this year. Don’t send me a black card. Don’t give me silly gifts of over-the-counter meds associated with growing older. Instead, give yourself the gift of ‘life’ and ‘living young’. Give yourself time to discover and focus on your own ‘now’ and if you need some laughter, or some wisdom, or some encouragement come see me. Call first in case I’m out and about ‘living in the now’.