Fifty is Nifty

Yikes!  I turned 50.  How the heck did that happen?  (This picture is not me by the way.)

I've been overly emotional today.  I've cried (with joy) over how blessed I am.  To be clear, I hope I have a long life ahead of me.  But, if I go tomorrow, I have lived a charmed life.

The facebook posts, the cards, the calls, the texts have been almost overwhelming.  Being a writer at heart, I  thought I'd share a few thoughts about living half a century and some nice memories.  (These are in no particular order.)

My parents.  Every great part of me comes from my parents; every bad part is some genetic mutation that is not their fault.  We are a small family but we are mighty.  There are no two better people in the world and I love hanging with them.  They have also loved (fiercely!) so many of my friends and continue to do so.  Many of my friends don't have their parents on their 50th birthday.  This is not lost on me.

My besties.  I'm not sure I could imagine this life without Janis Gonzalez and Deb Merino.  We've seen each other through so much.  And to think it all started with Sheri crying at Deb's birthday party because I didn't get a pink balloon.  I was 5.  A drama queen in the making.  I've never had to go through a major life event without their support, advice and counsel.  I hope I never do.

Jennifer Collity and Tyler Roman.  I love you both.  Being your stepmom (you  both know I hate that term) has been one of the greatest gifts of my life.  Getting to be friends with your moms  has made my life even better!

Howe Buddies.  Thanks to facebook and the annual Howe Block party, I have reconnected with so many of my fellow Hornets.  I'm pretty sure I was a dork in high school, yet so many of you embrace me!

The Pasadena Gang.  Until I got older, much older, I had no idea that all kids didn't grow up in a neighborhood where every mom could scold you or hug you.  I didn't know that there were kids who missed playing tag, catching fireflies, or creating adventures on a daily basis.  I am so glad we had no cell phones or cameras.

IU/Porkies.  My parents didn't go to college.  I remember the day they dropped me off at IU and I don't know if I was more nervous or they were.  But God said, "Here, let me introduce you to some of the best friends you will ever have."  Miraculously, we still are.

My Wives-in-Law.  Becca Roman and Laura Roman have shared so much with me. Most importantly, they have allowed me to mother their children and I will be eternally grateful.

My Faith Family.  If you have a church, you understand.  If you don't, I wish you did.  This congregation and the fellowship complete me.  Every Sunday and every day in between.

Cousins.  The old saying is that cousins are your first friends.  I know that's true for me.  First, second and third cousins - I'm loaded with them.  I love them all.

My beloved Gabs and all the dogs that came before.  Occasionally, I dream of Candy.  She was my childhood dog and she died when I was 19.  I like to think that all of them - Holly, Willy, Brandy, Sassy, Sheba, Ashley, and more will meet me at the Rainbow Bridge.  Some want to be greeted by St. Peter.  I'd like to be greeted by my dogs.

Aunts and Uncles.  Again, I got lucky.  Aunt Ann, Aunt Hazel, Aunt Connie and Aunt Judy have spoiled me rotten.  I think I am the mini me of my Aunt Cess who continues to bless me with her calm wisdom.  I inherited a teensy portion of her writing talent.  I wish I had inherited her wisdom.  And my crazy uncles!  Uncle Harry who continues to tease me about my wild hair, Uncle Don who always greets me with, "there's my favorite niece", Uncle Kerry, who has always been there for me.  I still miss my Uncle Ken, who was so easy for me to talk to, but I love my Uncle David who has blessed the life of my Aunt Cess.

Highland/Workout Friends.  I am not really a country club kind of girl.  But I did it for about 20 years.  In a pinch, I can swing a golf club if someone needs a fourth in an outing.  While I faked my way through playing golf, I made some amazing friends.  I'm looking forward to seeing many of them next weekend.

Mentors.  Attending Syd Cook's memorial service was one of the hardest things I did this year. I hope he knew how much I admired him and how much he inspired me.

People I miss.  The list is endless.  Bobbie & Pa, Grandma & Grandpa, Mike and Eve, Uncle Ken, Uncle Bob, Patsy Stewart and countless more!

So that's it.  My silly thoughts about turning 50.  I left out a lot -- mostly my love of wine, ice cream, books and music.  My great job and my amazing coworkers.  How much I love my home.  Friends like Abby and Mary Anne.  The joy of every photo of those gorgeous Collity boys.  The wrinkles and pooches -- I've earned every one.

Life goes on... if you're lucky.  And, I am.  If you're reading this, you've left a stamp on my heart.

"God only knows what I'd be without you."




 

Happy Father's Day Dad

I'm closing in on turning 50. Just merely days away. I still rely on my Dad. Some might find that sweet, others may find it weird. To me, it is my life and my Dad is a huge part of it. Always has been. I have girlfriends who have lost their fathers - some shamefully young! Some still have their fathers but they live across the country, or their father is lost in the shell of Alzheimer's or another dreaded disease. Many of my friends are now caring for their fathers so they've taken on the parental role. I have two bookcases in my trunk that I will ask my Dad to put together. I will come home one day this week to find a note in my kitchen, (always beginning, Dear Sheri Baby,) and I will know he has trimmed bushes or planted something. I am a spoiled-rotten Daddy's girl. When I was little, he was this bronzed giant of a man. All tan and muscular from working outside. He would sweep me up in a giant bear hug and I knew in my heart that no man would ever love me as much. Sadly, I was right. To this day, he is my touchstone and my first love. He has loved me through bad choices, and far too often, been the knight when I needed rescued. He rights wrongs and has difficult conversations with a grace I will never master. Some people admire men who make a lot of money, create a new invention and/or inspire a social or political movement. That's all good. I admire some of them too. My hero, my Dad, walks the walk with integrity. He talks the talk with honesty. He loves with compassion and he cares with his heart and soul. As an added bonus, he has a freakin' funny sense of humor.

Bathing Suits

I'm convinced it's almost impossible to NOT have fun in a bathing suit. From my first memories of splashing around with my parents on a Florida vacation or sipping cocktails in Highland's cocktail corner, it was all delightful. After a certain age, no one cares what you look like in a bathing suit. I am well past that age. If you have a spouse/significant other/partner, they've seen it all. If you're just hanging out with friends, they truly don't care. If you're looking for a date, you won't be wearing a bathing suit if you're over that certain age. I've been in your backyard pools and I've sat in hot tubs in Colorado while it snowed around us. I've scuba'd, snuba'd, hang glided and snorkeled in waters so amazing it made me dizzy. I've hung out in local lakes and many of my friends' lake cottages. Growing up, we went to the Longacre pool or the Ellenberger pool. From a wimpy little kid who tried every stomachache and various ailments to get out of swim lessons to the girl who had her period every pool session in high school, I emerged as someone who loves the water, loves the adventure of travel and treasures the water memories. We've had a long, cold winter. I'm ready to put on a bathing suit and have some fun.