Six for 60, Getting older and better!

On June 27, 2018, I hit a milestone in my life.  I turned 60.   I’ve heard all kinds of stuff all with kind intention: “You look good for your age”; “Don’t worry, 60 is the new 40”; and well, you get the picture.  I am so happy and grateful to be here and know more than anything I will not grow old gracefully.  I own every bit of 60 and if I look good that has everything to do with genetics and grace, not me. 

Admittedly, I am paying more attention to my health and wellness but that is only part of my story.  I'll blog about that later. Suffice it to say I am in “no turning back” mode and I am excited about what this new decade will bring. 

First and foremost, it's bringing my very first Writer’s Intensive.  The fear and doubt that kept me from doing this sooner, propels me, today.  I am taking a small group of writers on retreat and sharing what I wish someone had told me.

When you reach a milestone, human nature has you, or at least me, feeling a bit reflective.  What have I learned in 6 decades that makes me the woman I am? I started writing and realized there may be a book in that, but I wanted to shorten it for these purposes.  (Good practice for us writers.)

So here are my six nuggets for six decades of living or what I’d prefer to call:  My 6 for 60!

1. My faith has and always will sustain me.
2. By God’s Grace I can pray and move in His Being.  That means I can make choices for His Glory and the betterment of my life and the lives of those around me.
3. My most treasured possession is the bible my parents gave me at my high school graduation.  I did the same gifting for our son.  Mine is ragged, worn and well used but it has been a guide for me. It now lives in my trucks window.
4. My only real superheroes were my parents. I was not prepared to lose them, but they prepared me to live this life leading with love and kindness.
5. My son is my greatest gift from God.  It is my honor, privilege and duty to be his mother, not his friend. (I pray he has the kind of friends in his life that have blessed and enriched mine.) By the way, God gave me a second gift: my current husband.  What that means is that my load got lighter and the joy for all of us grew exponentially especially if you include our rescue, Dora! 
6. Every experience of my life, good, bad or indifferent led me to be the woman I am today and equipped me with what I need to keep moving forward.  I live in gratitude, own my decisions and will spend my life helping others raise their game.

 
What’s your list, for the decades you’ve graced this earth?  I can’t wait to hear.  For now, I want to leave you with one more thing I heard on my birthday.  
Bill: “You know what 60 makes you, right?”
Me: “No, Sir.”
Bill: “It makes you six, perfect tens!” He smiled and sang Happy Birthday!
​I’ll take that awesome gift and challenge each of you to know how perfect you are., too  
c