So today i turned 40…the big 40…forteeee! I'm not sure yet how i feel about that! In the past few months leading up to this Birthday i have found myself glancing back over years gone past, choices and decisions made and how these have led to where i am today…made me the woman i am today…on this Birthday milestone.
Sometimes i look at Miss Teen and i wonder how she can possibly be entering her final year of schooling…about to embark on university study and independence….it doesn't feel so long ago that i was waving goodbye to my own senior school days and friends. It was the 80's..a heady time of great fashion and even better rock ballads…..i may or may not be joking…i know at least 1 person reading this will be a child of the 80's and possibly understand and agree with me!!!
So rather than become maudlin at turning 40 i have decided i need to celebrate…to remember…to acknowledge this privilege of reaching the big 40.
Indulge me as i reflect upon a few things i now realise upon reaching this fabulous milestone…..
I'm not loving the physical reflection in the mirror at the moment (my body doesn't just seem to be bouncing back after he twins!) but i am working on it and although weight issues have been a problem of varying degrees all through my life….i am determined to keep fighting my inner demons and achieve the body i will be comfortable with…not skinny, just healthy.
I have 3 children that i am so proud of and am so grateful that they came into my life. I'm so pleased i was finally able to give Miss Teen siblings!
I am proud of myself for having the courage to go back to more university study and change careers when it actually didn't seem like the ‘smart' thing to do at the time.
I have worked my way through postnatal depression twice and come to the surface both times…a little scarred but still strong. I am stronger than i think…i try to remember that now.
I've realised how special it is to be able to reach 40 and be confident in the choices i have made. there have been mistakes…but there were good choices too.
After always wanting to write…something…anything….since leaving school…in the past year i have finally realised that goal by starting this little blog.
I now accept it is ok for one of my favourite activities to be curling up on the lounge with my partner and a good bottle of red watching a movie together after the kids are in bed. It's ok that we don't get out much at this time in life with our family….it's not necessary to warm the heart….i partied in my 20's! I'm not actually missing out on fun…just redefining it!
I now know how special it is to have a loving partner who is a fantastic Daddy to his girls in my life…..after being a single parent for a long time in my earlier years i acknowledge the strength and tears it took to get through everyday….but i appreciate so much what i have now…and the second chance i was given.
I know i am very blessed to be given the opportunity to parent twins….turning back the clock to being a parent to young children again has been a steep learning curve and one which i thought perhaps i was too old for….but i have proven myself wrong. I can do it, i am doing it, i still have parenting lessons to learn.
Watching my teen i am so grateful of the opportunities i have had to learn life lessons and acquire knowledge…some of which i can now pass onto her but realising she will need to follow her own path soon as we all do. I am learning how to let go…a little!
I've learnt that i can be brave enough to speak in front of large crowds, tackle projects i thought were too hard and achieve promotions in a field i only entered later in life. It's never to late in life to do something for yourself….even if others tell you you are being selfish.
I've learnt that children always have something to teach me…no matter how old or how wise i think i am!
I have always had an irrational fear of needles but i conquered this to go through IVF. Don't want to do it again though 😉
I am so very thankful to have a wonderful home and space to grow in at this time in our life. To be able to provide as i couldn't do 20 years ago. To indulge the homemaker side of me that was squashed many years ago!
I am so happy i got to experience the joy of finally being a stay at home Mum….of having more patience now to cope with this!!
I'm thankful for the friends i have made over the years and the experiences i will always cherish.
I'm thankful i still have my sense of humour….
Thanks so much to all those that follow and read and take the time to comment in this little space of mine…you have truly helped me to realise one of my dreams…thank you x
Have you reached any milestones recently that helped you to reflect and remember?
Warm Wishes
Jode x
I’ll be 40 here the year after next. I hope by then I’m able to be able reflect positively as you have. Having a bit of a cruddy time at the moment. 🙂 Happy 40th!
A very happy birthday to you Jode! I’m getting close to the Big 4-0 myself. This was a great post. Sounds like you are doing awesome – glad you can step back and look at it all from a clear perspective. And hey, as for being 40, you’re just getting started! I think the great thing about being older is the confidence that usually comes with it. Have a wonderful day!
A massive Happy Birthday to you!!! I hope you have a great day with your family. Such a lovely post on all that you have achieved so far. Just imagine what you will do in the next 40 years!
A very big happy birthday to you for today. May today be a wonderful day for you and that you are totally spoilt by your delightful and loving family. The 80’s did have some great music, still some of my favourite, I’ll be 40 soonish too, arrgh my how fast the years go by. Have a great day celebrating Jode. xx
Happy Birthday to you!
Happy birthday….sounds like you have it all under control… 🙂
I on the other hand did not like turning 40…but then, I walk around now as an ‘older’ mum with little m and I love it…most mums are finished the baby thing and toddler thing and here I am still sitting out on the lawn having tea parties with teddies….I think they keep you young….oh and so does the moisturiser I use…lol….
but really, you know what made me celebrate my 42 birthday more this year…was the fact that I know too many mums our age that have battled illness…I mean scary , in ya face illness, with the reality of maybe not being around to see these kids grow up…and that, made me thankful to the universe around me that I am here, and that I am 42…..
Happy birthday! For me turning 30 was harder. By 40, not so much, maybe because I was pregnant with Jason when I was 40!
I have a favor to ask! I’m hearing crickets right now for my Holiday Hop (could be the time of year!). I need sponsors for my Mom Lit Holiday Hop that starts on Saturday! (Wish I could afford to pay you!) I have a button to put up on your blog if you choose to be a sponsor. I would link back to you in the Holiday Hop… and on the website, too, plus your blog button can go on the website (and my other blog). Let me know by leaving a comment on my blog!
I’m also available if you ever need a return sponsor!
Here is the page for the holiday hop, and the code for the button is there: http://www.momswhowriteandblog.com/momlitholidayhop.html.
Happy Birthday!
I’m glad you can embrace 40, I turned 40 in February, and in the months leading up to it I was all set to celebrate in a big way, then about 6 weeks before I turned 40 I began to dread it, I did not want to turn 40….40….!!!!!!! That’s so old…what have I done with my life….what do I do now….etc etc etc. I didn’t end up having the big party I had planned, I chose to ignore my birthday.
Upon reflection I think I just had my mid life crisis! I’m feeling a bit better about it now, but 40 still feels old to me. Maybe I’ll celebrate my 50th with style 😉
Enjoy your day.
Happy birthday Miss Jode! You have certainly learnt a lot in your 40 years, you’re one very wise and wonderful person. xx
A super wonderful Happy Birthday Jode, lovely to read your reflections. You sound like you are in a great place!
Happy Birthday Jode! Gracefully accepted, well done. You could have gone in kicking and screaming! But I think your reflections allowed you to embrace this milestone 🙂 Hope your day was filled with everything that you love, with those that you hold dear. Sending you 40 birthday claps and one more for lucky wishes x
Oh Jode, I hope you extended the birthday celebrations into the weekend. Happy birthday lovely.
p.s it’s my big four-oh on Thursday 🙂
x
HAPPY BIRTHDAY JODE!!!!!!!!! 🙂 I’m 44 and although I’m not wishing my life away, I love the wisdom that is coming with age. I’d not go back in time if I could – each stage of life brings us what we need to grow and mature ~ that will never stop. Embrace each year and each decade for they have much to teach us 🙂
HAPPY BIRTHDAY! and even though I’m not really a child of the 80s, I agree that they have some of the best bands. Oh yes.