Thirty-nine

When I was little, my mother always told me how old she was.  She never said, “It’s not polite to ask.”  or “29 forever” or any other evasive answer.  As I got older and heard other women refuse to reveal their age, I asked my mom why she was so practical about this hot-button topic.

“Why should I care about that?” she’d reply, “What’s wrong with growing older?”  I thank God for this example.  My mother tries to look nice.  She dyes her hair and cares for her skin.  But trying to look a little younger and healthy is not the same as refusing to acknowledge your advancing years to others.  There is an honesty and self-acceptance that makes this a beautiful thing.  The world may be obsessed with youth, but we don’t have to follow.  We must take joy in the journey, all of it.  Not fight it. 

I believe my mother’s faith played a big part in this.  When we remember that we are only passing through this world on the way to our destiny in the next, our age is not a burden or reminder of impending doom.  This doesn’t mean achy joints and a few more prescriptions to take each day are something to celebrate.  But the added experiences of age are worthy of celebration.  The gift of another year with God’s grace in your life and friends and family to love is reason to be grateful.  So, thanks to my mother for this example.

With no hesitation, I announce that I am thirty-nine today.  (I really am; its not a magic “39”.)  The down side of this was emphasized as I sat in the Gestational Diabetes Education Room this morning with predominantly other women in their late 30’s and 40’s.  But, I also thank God that this is my first pregnancy with this complication and that despite my “advanced maternal age”, I’m able to have another baby in a time when medicine can help me overcome these obstacles.   

I believe that as our bodies lose the beauty and glow of youth, we can transmit that beauty to our souls which are growing up rather than growing old, if we walk with God.  A beautiful soul makes a young body seems rather unimportant.  I think of Mother Teresa’s smile.  Mother Teresa often commented on how prayer, devotion, the Sacraments, and Eucharistic Adoration makes our souls more beautiful for Heaven.  How beautiful a princess she must be in her heavenly home after neglecting her earthly appearance for so many years as she grew old gracefully, with hard work and purpose.

Do you fight the advancing years or do you welcome the growth of each birthday?  When should we try to stay young, and when should we try to grow up?  I suspect this is a personal line for each of us.

God bless,

Kate