Another year older another year wiser?

Today is my birthday. I’m not going to give away too much, but suffice it to say it’s one with a zero on the end. People keep asking how I’m doing because apparently zero birthdays are supposed to bring a lot more angst with them than the other number variety. I’m doing okay I guess, though I did notice a few more grays when I was at the hairdresser the other day. Now that those bad girls are all covered up I’m fine, crisis averted.

Last night we had the pre-birthday dinner with the in-laws. Of course there was a cutesy gift of assorted goodies in groups of *insert zero birthday number here*. Soda, candy and one-dollar bills (which is great because I need the speculation that I’m a stripper when I go to spend those suckers) all wrapped up in their own little goodies bags. Of course I was a bit disappointed when that big heavy gift turned out to be cans of soda, especially because I drink diet, but I managed to contain myself. My MIL has a zero birthday coming up, think she’d appreciate if we did something similar?

Truthfully I didn’t think I cared about another year behind me, and maybe I don’t. I have a lot to be thankful for and not many regrets. I have accomplished a lot in my years on the planet and I have a lot to look forward to. I have all the really important stuff. A husband I love and who loves me, three wonderful healthy children, my own health and that of my family.

I can’t help reflecting on what I have and haven’t accomplished though, and I realize there are things I planned on doing by now that I haven’t. I’m not sure how much this bothers me since there are things I’ve accomplished that I didn’t think about or plan on. I’ve traded some goals for others and weeded out the ones that didn't seem so important after all. There are some I did put on the backburner to care for my kids and I do think they need to be revisited.

Maybe I will set some goals for my next “one” or “two” birthday. Perhaps some of those things that were put on the backburner while I nurtured my young family can come back now. Perhaps what I really need is a little more time and attention for me. Instead of thinking of this as the end of an era it can be the beginning of better things to come. Perhaps bettering oneself is what getting older is really all about.