Golden Years, Platinum Life.

In three years, I will be starting my "Golden Years". That's how I and many people I know see turning 50. Personally? Honestly? It really does not bother me the way it does so many people I have talked to.

In the past, two of my friends have had a hard time with milestone birthdays. Turning 30 sent one to a psychiatric facility. Turning 40 had one literally refuse to get out of bed for a week. To me, turning 30 meant two months later my oldest would be going through a milestone of his own: a double digit birthday as he turned 10. Turning 40 meant cancelling plans I had to go on a cruise with the one who had spent her 40th in bed for a week. Why? Because my oldest was in a war zone in Iraq.

Don't misunderstand me. I can occasionally feel the effects of being middle-aged. I don't run as fast as I used to as our big softball game attested to but I still contributed with an RBI (run batted in). I still play soccer with grade school children who literally light up when I ask if I can join in. This tells me parents need to interact outdoors with their kids if at all possible. Family night should not always be in front of a television.

The other day I was having a conversation with a woman my age. She asked how I kept my positive thinking about aging. I told her quite simply that I am turning 21 again.

This does not mean I don't sit quietly at times and wish for the days when my own three adult children were younger, I do. I miss the little boy in kindergarten who said "I love you, tough noodles, Mommy, and that's the most you can love anybody!" My older son. :)

I miss the little six year old boy who cried and said he would never put Mommy in a nursing home and even as a young man has stated he would make sure I was provided for by saying when he got a job after college he was going to set me up in my own one-bedroom apartment. His smile of approval as he was told we were getting married, asking questions in reverse like a father instead of a son showed his care for his mom. My younger son. :)

I miss the little girl who cried for Mommy when she woke up at the hospital and saw Daddy. Even as he was there to watch over our baby girl while I ran home to take a break with the boys and do some things for them, he had to call me to return as she needed Mommy.

That little boy in kindergarten grew up to fight for his country just as he always felt protective of his mother and siblings. He encouraged me to take up writing again and to follow my dreams.

That younger son listens to Mom when she has a rough day even when he's 200 miles away and tells her to heat up a hot pocket, turn on the TV and put her feet up because she deserves it.

That baby girl does not let people run over her, having the same stubborn nature her mother does, and even when it's directed at Mom, no one could be more proud than I am of her.

My "Golden Years" are nearly here. But right now, I'm living a Platinum life as I start a new journey "turning 21 again" with the love of my life. Even my mother says he is truly the love of my life and that we were always meant to be together.

Yeah, I love my Platinum Life.

Thank You, God.