Living Outside The Lines: Fifty & Wondering About Fabulous

Borrowing a line from “The Grinch Who Stole Christmas” I would say this about my 50th birthday, “It came without ribbons, it came without bows, it came without packages, or boxes, or bags.” 

By, Becky J Miller

Borrowing a line from “The Grinch Who Stole Christmas” I would say this about my 50th birthday, “It came without ribbons, it came without bows, it came without packages, or boxes, or bags.” One would expect the half-century mark to arrive with great fanfare, but it actually snuck in rather quietly, almost too quietly.

A week before my birthday I was in Dallas with extended family. My mom was visiting from Florida, and her birthday is the day after mine. I was her birthday present 50 years ago, y’all!! A group of us took her out to dinner and lavished her with gifts. It was fun to celebrate her, but also bittersweet given the fact that the big 5-0 was quickly approaching for me.

Six months ago, I moved to a new town and changed jobs. The transition has been difficult. I miss my home and friends terribly, but never more than the day of my birthday. You see, despite the fact that I annually fussed over it, my manager always arranged a team birthday luncheon at the restaurant of my choice. This year, there was no such event.

For the past ten years, each birthday I’d arrive in the morning to an adorably decorated cubicle. This year on my birthday, my office looked exactly as I’d left it at 4PM the previous day. In addition to the fun decorations, there were often cards, gifts and yummy treats. Not this year. I had no expectations, and yet, there may have been a few tears over what was, but is no more. Everyone wants to feel loved and cherished, especially on her birthday.

I did receive text messages, Facebook posts, snail mail cards, and a few surprise packages. Each of those interactions brought a smile to my face, but I missed the warmth of the physical connection, of being in the same room or building.

My kids though, what can I say except, it’s a pretty amazing thing to have adult children who go out their way to celebrate you. Our oldest son brought presents, sent a present, & picked up the dinner tab!! My daughter took the day off from work to join us for dinner, and planned months in advance to take me to a Lady Antebellum concert later this month. The baby boy took the day off from work, and drove all the way from Abilene just for me. The five of us had not been together since Christmas, making the evening extra special.

My husband always spoils me rotten, so Day 1 and 2 of 50 weren’t too shabby, but I keep trying to reconcile the fact that I’ve officially left my 40’s. It’s weird, I don’t feel any older, I don’t think I look any older, and yet I am. Is it only downhill from here? Since I bought a new bikini along with new Cowboy boots, which I promise not to wear together, I sure hope not!!

My sister is coming to visit next weekend and we’re going paddle boarding, I don’t know if that’s a normal 50-year-old outing, but it’s definitely a normal Becky outing, half century birthday or not.

They say, although I’ve yet to determine who “they” is, that “Fifty is Fabulous”. I suppose only time will tell whether they were being truthful or not. I have however discovered rather quickly that 50 is lovely excuse for any, shall we say, unfitting behavior. For example, “Oh, sorry, but I am 50 now…”

No matter what the future holds, I do hereby solemnly swear to tell the whole truth about my 50’s and nothing, but the truth, so help me God, even if it’s ugly!!

Until Next Time,

Becky J Miller ~ Warrior Princess

Becky J Miller is a contributor and is exclusive to SM Corridor News. You can read more of Becky’s columns in Lifestyle.