....or so I tell myself. I am 50 years old - soon to be 51. That means I am in the second half of my life (if I live to be 100, that is). So actually, I may be well into the second half of my life. But I digress. Age is just a number, right?
It's a gift, this second half. I gift I never expected to receive.
In this second half of my life, I have found:
Love. True love. Fairytale, happily-ever-after LOVE. The love of a truly good man. A man who honors and cherishes me. A man who makes me feel special. A man who loves me more than he loves himself.
Peace. Peace in knowing I right where I'm supposed to be. Peace in realizing drama is unnecessary. It wastes my time and energy. And life is too short to waste even a moment. Peace is knowing at the end of the day, no matter what happens, I am going to a place that is safe. My safe haven. Not just a "house" but to a "home".
Happiness. Happiness is a choice. It's a journey. I can choose to focus on the things that I think should be different in the world. Or I can choose to be happy and just enjoy each day. I've chosen. Happiness rocks!
Joy. Joy in the simple things in life, in the beauty around me. Sitting on my back porch watching the hummingbirds chase each other across the yard. Hearing the beautiful songs of mockingbirds that frequent our feeder. Discovering my first bell pepper in the garden. Seeing the amazingly beautiful purple, blue, gray & pink of a sunset. Enjoying the smell, taste and total experience of a really good glass of Zinfandel. Going to sleep and waking up next to the man I love, knowing he loves me back. All these things bring me great joy.
My life is so good. I wouldn't trade it for anything. If I was offered the chance to go back and be 30 again, I'd say "No way". Though I complain about the wrinkles and gray hairs and aches that are a part of life at 50, I am thankful to be right where I am today. The second half is where I want to be.
