Monday, February 14, 2011

A Valentine Birthday


Today is my birthday. I’m in the fifth decade of my life and fast approaching the sixth. I’m old. Sometimes I wonder how I got to be this old. Wasn’t it just yesterday that I was that young girl up there, eighteen and away at college beginning a brand new adventure and having big dreams.
If I could go back to that eighteen year old girl I would tell her that while heartaches may bring her down they will followed by joys that will lift her back up and more than make up for the heartaches. I would tell her that her crazy boyfriend of that blind date in the cemetery will be the best husband and dad and grandfather she could ever ask for.
I would tell her to spend more time with all the people and friends she loves and don’t ever be afraid to tell them out loud that she loves them and the best of them will still be by her side when she’s old. I would tell her when she’s 28 she’ll fall in love all over again when a little baby boy is placed on her stomach in the middle of the night and life will never again be the same. A little less than two years later before the “Big 30” and on her wedding anniversary a bouncing baby girl will come along and steal the day and every anniversary thereafter.
I would tell her there will be achievements, mistakes, and regrets along life’s journey but to accept them for what they are, learn from them, and keep looking forward, never back.
I would tell her that while nothing can prepare her for it, death will come throughout her life more times than she thinks she can bare. It will bring sadness and emptiness but life does go on. Such is the way of life.
I would tell her that hearing she’s going to be a Grandparent will make her feel really old before she’s ready but once it happens she’ll wonder what she was ever worried about.
I would tell her that mid-life is just that – mid-life. There are no crisis to avert, just life to live to the fullest each and every day and to keep dreaming and dream big.

Happy Valentine's Day

For more Ruby Tuesday click here.

22 comments:

Mimi said...

Happy Birthday, and Happy Valentine's Day, dear Carletta.
Love your letter to your younger self.
And you're not old! I'm already in my 6th decade and loving it! Each decade brings its own blessings.

rapunzel said...

Happy Birthday and Happy Valentine's Day! Hope you have a sweet day. :)

diane b said...

A great post with a good message to everyone not just that younger you.Happy Birthday. Life starts at 50.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Oh what a wonderful post, Carletta... I'm teary --just reading it. You have had and are having a fabulous life!!!!

Happy Birthday on Valentine's Day.. That is SUPER.
Hugs,
Betsy

JunieRose2005 said...

Happy Birthday, Carletta~ and happy Valentine's Day too!!

What a wonderful post and a wonderful life!

Love,

Junie

Carver said...

Wonderful post and a happy birthday/valentine's day to you!

Marla said...

Happy Birthday. I loved this post. Really, it brought tears to my eyes. I hope this next year is even better than the last. :)

Marla @ www.blueskiesphotoblog.com

Debbie said...

Happy Birthday fellow Aquarian ♥ Mine is tomorrow.

This also brought tears to my eyes. I love the way you enjoy the beauty of life and express it so well :)

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Happy Birthday! That was an absolutely beautiful essay and (you will see this coming) I have only one complaint. You absolutely canNOT use the word old when talking to someone who just entered their eighth decade. Good grief. Otherwise, I completely and totally agree with your beautiful words and I wish I'd said them!!!

Neal said...

Happy birthday and Happy Valentine Day. That is a beautiful post like the beautiful girl pictured at the top. I'm sure your hubby realizes how lucky he is to have you. Just remember that "old" is relative to where you are. :)

Rose said...

Oh, Carletta, I almost missed getting to say Happy Birthday on your day!!! I hope it was a good one, and that you have many more to come...

Happy Birthday!

Anonymous said...

happy birthday!!

Leora said...

Happy birthday, Carletta! That is so sweet, how you so appreciate the good - and how you appreciate those around you and hold them so dear.

Anonymous said...

Hau'oli La Hanau my dear sweet friend. I hope you had a wonderful birthday. :) xoxoxo

George said...

Happy birthday a day late. Thank you for a wonderful letter to yourself.

Grace said...

Happy Birthday Carletta,

It's a wonderful thing to share your birthday with the world on Valentine's day.
This is a beautiful letter that you wrote to the young girl of you....
I, too entered the fifth decade of my life last year;

By the way, love your music playlist, brings back memories of listening to these songs on the radio as a young girl and teen.
Happy Ruby Tuesday!
Have a great week!
Grace

Anonymous said...

Happy belated Birthday!!
Hope you've enjoyed your day.
Thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment.
The red heart was created with fresh flowers...red roses and red carnations for an flower exhibition.
- Cheers Gisela.

quilly said...

Happy Birthday, Carletta. This wonderful post is full of great advice for all of us. The best part about getting older is all the cherished memories acquired along the way.

Suburban Girl said...

Old? I am only old when I look in the mirror. It has a nasty way of reminding me. Happy belated birthday.

Seizing My Day said...

Happy Birthday!! My cousin has a Valentines birthday too... I won't tell you how old he is though.. ;)
Beautiful post ... lovely way to look at life behind you... =)

Catherine said...

Wow, I love this :)

Anonymous said...

You're the best.