Thoughts on Turning 50

What is it that’s so tasty about turning fifty? To me it seems so delicious. I think it must be the seasoning.

All of the things I’ve been through, both good and bad, feel like the herbs and spices that have served to enhance the flavors of my life. I could not say that I feel like a fine wine aged to perfection. No, I feel more like ground beef that’s been through the meat grinder and is now enjoying the warmth of the grill and all of the salt and the seasonings that have been sprinkled upon it!

Our life experiences and how we deal with them are a part of what makes us who we are. Mistakes and failures that we suffer through, as well as successes and achievements that we are proud of, provide our life’s enhancements. They give us depth. We can turn fifty and be sad that our youth is behind us or we can turn fifty and look back at all we have done and enjoy a sense of accomplishment at the journey we have taken. For some reason, mourning the end of my youth was not an option or even a temptation for me. For one thing, I still feel youthful and I know that age is just a number. If I told myself I was “old” I know I would soon become “old.” Quite the contrary, I feel like I’m just getting started and I’m excited about what lies ahead.

When I turned forty I thought I was entering the best decade of my life. Now turning fifty I feel the same way, even more so. If life were a four course meal, I’d just be getting to the entrée. Bon appetit!