Putting it Lightly

My 50s were tough. I was diagnosed with breast cancer when I was 50. One of my children went through some life-altering times. We had to redefine our whole world. If what doesn't kill you makes you stronger I am no strong like bull.

I'm putting that lightly.

I don't know how I made it from 50 to 59 without falling down and never getting back up. But I'm glad I hung in there because the difference between my life at 50 and my life at 59 is incredible.

I'm also putting that lightly.

I was born in '59 and today I am 59. I have decided this is my double golden birthday. It's time to party! Here's a list of the epic celebrations:

Saturday, before my birthday on Tuesday, I had girlfriends over for Girls Game Night. I bought myself a cake. Listen, if you love cake as much as I love cake you better make sure you get cake!

Sunday, before my birthday on Tuesday, my husband and I went out to lunch with our older son and then I went out with girlfriends for dinner and a comedy show. We went to dinner at my new "I'm going to take you to my new favorite restaurant" restaurant.

Monday, before my birthday, my younger son and his girlfriend took me out to the restaurant we tried to go to last year for my birthday. The one that I get frequent cravings about, but the wait was too long so we went next door and had a very average dinner. This year we walked right in and even scored a comfy booth.

Tuesday. Today. My birthday. I've taken the day off from work so I can do what I want to do and what I guess I want to do is go grocery shopping. But hey, I'm buying a whole lot of cakes at the grocery store today so I'm not going to complain. Tonight I go out to a local new favorite restaurant for dinner with a very tolerant friend. And by "tolerant" I mean that we've been friends for a very long time and she's gone through a whole lot of my emotional misbehavior yet is still offering to take me out to dinner. Also, it's Fat Tuesday but because it's also my birthday week I've turned it into FATTUESDAYWEEK. Oy. I may be growing weary of cake.

Wednesday. Valentine's Day. My husband is out of town so I'll be Valentining it up with my friend, Kimperious. She has invited me to one of my favorite restaurants and what I'm noticing here is that I've got a lot of favorite restaurants. I do not want an intervention, thank you.

On Thursday I'll be going out with my birthday-month-sharing friend, Tami. She doesn't know it yet but we're going to my new "I'm going to take you to my new favorite restaurant" favorite restaurant that I went to on Sunday night.

On Friday, I rest. My stomach. My husband and I will be doing nothing but spending some time together after not being together all week so I intend to not eat cake, not eat appetizers, and perhaps use my kitchen for the first time this week.

When I was 50 I slammed the door shut and locked it. Pulling down the shades and wallowing in all that life had thrown my way. Now the door is thrown open, the windows are thrown open and I am amazed by what has come through all that openness.

Putting it very lightly.

Thank you to everyone who has helped me through the toughest time in my life and is still here to come in my open door and windows. Even though there may be tough times ahead, because there are always tough times ahead, I'm leaving the house open so you can get in and help me through it.

And so I can walk through them and into your house when you need some help.