A Journal of Joy: Things that make my heart smile…
Some say old is always twenty years from the age you are. It’s a nice thought but I don’t think it’s accurate. I won’t lie to you. I don’t find a great deal of joy in growing older, but I do find a great deal of joy in being alive!
It all started when I turned 70. I seemed to breeze through aging milestones like 40, 50, and 60. I must admit that when I turned 65, signed up for Social Security, got on Medicare, and started thinking about retirement, I felt I was getting older. But 65 didn’t sound old. Then I turned 70. 70 sounded very old to me.
I tried to analyze why I had a bit of a problem adjusting. After all, I’ve had a very full life and think there is much more ahead to celebrate. I think it was that I felt I was transitioning from one season in my life to another. That didn’t mean I had a bunch of things I wanted to do before I died. It just meant it may be time for me to make a few changes, shake things up a bit, and not be satisfied with the “same old, same old.” This may not seem like a big deal to you, but to someone like me who loves consistency, dislikes surprises, and hates change, it was a major mindset adjustment.
I had an “aha” moment when my girlfriend Evonne gave me a birthday gift card for a Baggallini, a stylish functional purse designed by flight attendants for travel or every day. (Do I sound like a commercial?) Evonne had one I loved. So I surfed the net to find just the right one. I told her via email I had narrowed it down to a black one, but wasn’t sure of the exact style. There were many to choose from.
She said, “What a big surprise! All your purses are black. Now that you are turning 70 I thought you’d step up your game!”
Bingo! A light bulb went off! That’s my problem. If I’m going to do anything a little differently, now is the time. So I bought a red Baggallini! It’s the new me. Suddenly I seem to be embracing this new season of my life.
I didn’t join the Red Hat Society but I understand them. Red has become my signature color. If I’m not wearing a red blouse or sweater, I’m usually sporting a few red accessories. My kids have been very supportive. They’ve bought me a red Coach purse, a red leather iPhone case, red sandals, red house slippers, red walking shoes, a red Fitbit, a red iPad, and a red carrying case. I must admit, I really look good in red!
The Bible speaks of the older women teaching the younger women (Titus 3:2-5). Well, I’m older so here’s a little advice for younger women. Don’t be a wallflower! Live a colorful life. If there is a certain bright color that makes you smile, wear it. It’s a joy to be alive!
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Ah Lord God, thank You for another day of life! It is good to be alive! Do You have a favorite color? You have created so many to choose from. I look good in teal, shades of blue, and my new favorite—red! But I love gazing at all the lovely colors surrounding me—the bright yellow sunflowers, the green oak trees, and chirping orange oriole. You are the great Creator. As I grow older, let me appreciate the wonders around me and think of You!
