I am clinging on to my thirties with a fierce grip. I dread the big 4 – 0 and have found myself depressed feeling my youth slipping away. Recently, my best friend and I met at the gym in our futile attempt to tighten the skin that age has loosened. We were surrounded by little 20-year-olds and with little 20-year-old tight bodies. We started commiserating on the future of 40 and I shared my depression about this dreaded milestone. When I came into work this morning, this email was waiting for me. I hope this inspires all of the soon-to-be, and the been-there-done-that, women who have entered the Over 40 Club.

“My Dear Precious Friend,

You recently shared with me your feelings about turning 40. I would like to share my feeling with you about your upcoming birthday. Sure- you may notice changes in your body. Perhaps it is a little softer than at 20 but it is only softer because of abundant love and compassion. I believe our bodies are often a metaphor for our souls - the aging process is a method of softening our bodies as well as our spirits. Your soul is softer and deeper than it was at 20. Your love is deeper and stronger than at 20. Your capacity for compassion and understanding is deeper and stronger than at 20. By 40 you have seen pain, felt pain and SUVIVED pain. You have reached out to others and understood and accepted their pain. At 40 when someone shares their soul with you - you understand the beauty and magnitude of that moment. That is a beautiful thing.

Your 40 year old giggle is delightful, full of joy, love, grace. It’s rich like a delicious, full bodied red wine. It lingers and warms your spirit. It’s intoxicating. So magnificently opposite of a 20-year-old giggle. Embrace the woman you are and remember your 20-year-old self with love and maybe just a little bit of sheepish embarrassment over the fake bravo you would put on because your were “playing grown-up”. You are now a woman your family goes to for love and comfort and also a woman who can sooth broken hearts and tattered dreams of cherished friends and family.

On a more vain note…. the 40 year old you has a softer, more interesting face with penetrating ocean blue eyes. Your 20-year-old self had a 'not quite jelled together' fuller face with eyes that were full of curiosity but not the depth that you have now.

Remember, God does not have a concept of your age. You are his child. You are growing and evolving everyday!!! You are a woman people want to invest in and get to know because your soul is full of love, light and humor. You are my best friend and I love the 40 year old you.”

1 Comments

chris said:

Wow! You mean you're not ALREADY 40??!! So if you were on that new show "Age of Love" you'd be in the older group, huh?

You know you're awesome...get over it! (Which is the same message your friend gave you...only in a male translation!)

Chris

June 21, 2007 11:10 PM

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