I finally get it. It took 36 years, but I finally get it. The other day I was asked my age. You would think that I was asked who the 16th president was. Or how many light years are in a year. Or what time train A arrives at Station B if it leaves Station Z traveling 43 mph, is traveling west with strong headwinds, and has to stop to allow train X to cross the track. But no, I was just asked how old I was. I was so flustered that I could not even subtract my birth year from the current. All I could remember is that I am 3 years younger than my husband and he just had a birthday. From that, I was able to deduce my current age.
Looking back to my youth, I finally get how my Mom could be 39 five years in a row. Again, being slow on the uptake as a kid, it took me 5 years to realize something wasn't quite right. Back then, it was a "woman thing" not to tell your age. I don't think this was a "woman thing". Nor was it a brush off from a woman who apparently did not want to turn 40 (even though she already had). It was just a simple case of a woman crossing over that threshold into the land of "OMG, I can't remember what my age is!" She simply could not remember. Not wanting to look weak or forgetful in front of her idolizing child, she simply said "39" when asked her age. Quite automatically, too. Without fluster. Without blushing. And apparently without regret.
But what does numerical age really mean? Aside from child and senior discounts and being able to purchase alcohol or get your driver's license. What, really, does a numerical age do for you? Is there a certain way one should act when she turns 39? I don't know. I've seen 16-year-olds act 25 and 42 year-olds act 16. Apparently there is no slide ruler in which one can match up a numerical age with the defining characteristics of that age. What is more relevant is how one feels. Perhaps my Mom felt like she was 39 five years in a row. If that is the case, then I say kudos to you, Mom! You are still young at heart. Quite possibly as young as 39. (pssst...even if your hair and wrinkles don't feel 39 anymore!) Just kidding! For that, and for many more reasons than can be captured in a blog post, I will always be Mommie's girl. Happy Mothers' Day!
Looking back to my youth, I finally get how my Mom could be 39 five years in a row. Again, being slow on the uptake as a kid, it took me 5 years to realize something wasn't quite right. Back then, it was a "woman thing" not to tell your age. I don't think this was a "woman thing". Nor was it a brush off from a woman who apparently did not want to turn 40 (even though she already had). It was just a simple case of a woman crossing over that threshold into the land of "OMG, I can't remember what my age is!" She simply could not remember. Not wanting to look weak or forgetful in front of her idolizing child, she simply said "39" when asked her age. Quite automatically, too. Without fluster. Without blushing. And apparently without regret.
But what does numerical age really mean? Aside from child and senior discounts and being able to purchase alcohol or get your driver's license. What, really, does a numerical age do for you? Is there a certain way one should act when she turns 39? I don't know. I've seen 16-year-olds act 25 and 42 year-olds act 16. Apparently there is no slide ruler in which one can match up a numerical age with the defining characteristics of that age. What is more relevant is how one feels. Perhaps my Mom felt like she was 39 five years in a row. If that is the case, then I say kudos to you, Mom! You are still young at heart. Quite possibly as young as 39. (pssst...even if your hair and wrinkles don't feel 39 anymore!) Just kidding! For that, and for many more reasons than can be captured in a blog post, I will always be Mommie's girl. Happy Mothers' Day!
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