Friday, June 7, 2019

RAMBLING THOUGHTS ON TURNING 50


Did you read the words? In my Mom's day they called it "spunk" or "gumption", and I remember her having a lot of it. I like to think I inherited some of that from her, though I don't really consider myself a badass. Spirited with a hearty dose of child like tendencies would probably be a good way to describe me, or at least it was.

I turn 50 in a couple days, and I've been doing a lot of reflecting on that. Though I had some great times in my 40's, the highlight, marrying Rob, but they also came with their fare share of struggles. I got diagnosed with osteoarthritis in my left knee, due to a split knee cap I have, and didn't know I had, from a car accident that happened before I entered my 20's. I may require a new knee cap down the road, but so far so good. A chronic case of "Tennis Elbow" due to over use of my right arm, and the latest health issue, diverticulitis.

The latest diagnose had me off work for a couple weeks at the beginning of May, went for lots of medical tests and a couple visits to emergency. One of the biggest struggles of my 40's was losing my Mom in 2012. I know she had arthritis and diverticulitis. How I wish she was here now so we could talk about it, and support each other.

Though none of these health issues are life threatening, they all require management, with diet, physio and exercise. Lately it has seemed to me that I just get one thing under control, and something else flares up. Throw in the occasional migraine, bouts of depression, and anxiety and it's enough to make a person want to go to bed, pull the covers up over your head and hide from the world. But life goes on, and so must I. So I do the best I can every time I'm dealing with something else life puts in front of me.

I feel like I lost of bit of myself in my 40's, and I hope to find that part of me again in my 50's. Let's be honest, at 50, my life is pretty much more than half over, and I feel like I'm running out of time. There is still so much I want to do, that I want to see!

My Mom was here in Toronto with us to celebrate my 40th birthday, how I wish she was here for this milestone.

Mom and me at my 40th birthday party.
My health, enjoying life and trying some new things are my top priorities as I enter the next decade.

2 comments:

Tammie said...

Angie, your 50's are nothing to be worried about! Life goes on and life is also what you make of it. That last bit is my life's motto. After 2 heart attacks by 40, countless heart procedures, diabetes, fibromyalgia, psoriatic arthritis all before 50, I just wake up every morning and see what I'm capable of that day. If I can't do everything I want that day, oh well ... tomorrow is another chance.

Enjoy your 50's with the gusto that you did your 40's! :)

Debbie G. said...

Happy birthday! I'm turning 50 this year too. It does make you start thinking about what you haven't done yet and what you want to do. Fortunately, you're still young enough to go out and do all those things. I hope you have a great birthday celebration. Lots of wonderful experiences still lay ahead!