Smiling

Published on by Jane

Birthdays are funny things. The older I get, the less it really matters how old I am getting, I tell myself. Of course, I am vain enough to look closely in the mirror: are those laugh lines around my eyes, or crow’s feet? Do I need to go to the hairdresser, or are those sparkly things in my brown hair not that noticeable yet? And my neck … not much I can do there except moisturize, moisturize, moisturize. Move along, Jane.

I’m 52. Some days I feel it, but not on my birthday. I have a sweet life, not a perfectly happy one, and not a stress-free one either, but it’s good. There are things about it I need to tend, I know, but on my birthday none of that matters. So this past Saturday I showered, coiffed, moisturized, and went to work with a little smile on my face and a bigger one in my heart.

I smiled my way through half the day, and then took my coworkers’ birthday wishes with me out the door and to my car, and home. Still smiling, I went off to Sag Harbor, to spend the rest of the day with the “Fab-lious” R’s, their mother Judy, and the rest of the crew.

There was, indeed, chocolate cake. Delicious! And a wonderful dinner, and hours and hours of laughter and conversation, and a little running around on the rocky shore at Long Beach in the late afternoon. I came home late, and tired, but still smiling.

Yes, those must be laugh lines, and the sparkles aren’t too obvious in the sunshine by the water, and my neck … well … two out of three.

:::

I’m off soon to Chicago, sort of. From what I hear, there will be lots of riding in cars. I’ll go where my sister tells me to go, in whichever car is heading wherever. Vernon Hills, Bloomington, Kalamazoo, Timbuktu. Smiling.

I’ll be back next Tuesday. Maybe by then I’ll have figured out what I want to knit with that Lime over Mint yarn, too.

20 thoughts on “Smiling”

  2. Happy Birthday! Wishing you a wonderful year! Enjoy your time here in Chicago – if you’re actually in the city let me know – I’m around.

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  4. Chocolate cake, mmmmm!I’m glad your special day was as special as you! Here’s wishing you many more ::raises glass::Love Ya!~Beth

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  5. Beautiful Jane.. the lines on our faces show all the times that we’ve smiled.As a crone, who’s a bit older thatn you, I can say with truth that you’re totally beautiful! I hope that you’re still painting (haven’t seen any signs on the blog for awhile)And totally enjoy your trip to Chicago. there’s a great greek restaurant there (at least there was last time I checked)many birthday hugs from your older woman friend –

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  6. Seriously I never noticed any lines at all and if there are any they are wonderful laugh lines. And sparklies in the hair are a good thing 😀 But I totally understand the neck thing heheheh moisturize is right – every day morning and night for me. Besides you are just a young-un – I’m older and waaay sparklier (is that even a word?) in fact all I have is sparkle (ohh I like that!!)Have a ball in Chicago and lets do lunch when you get back!!! Birthday treat!!

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  9. Happy Belated Birtday Jane! Nice to see your smiling face.I am older than you by 4 months … I hear you about the neck. 🙂 But all the rest of the things you now may notice are just merit badges of a life well lived.So, regarding the neck … hmmm, what to do? Guess we’ll just have to keep knitting more scarves! 🙂 (as long as my cat doesn’t keep dragging them away to play with!)Enjoy Chicago!

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  14. Happy Happy Birthday Baybeee.I wish I were celebrating it with you face2face but we certainly are doing it heart2heart.Big HugsBess

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  15. It sounds like the perfect birthday! Well, except maybe for the working in the morning part. 🙂 Have a good trip to Chicago!

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  16. Glad you had a happy birthday. I would not have guessed you were 52, at least not from your writing. I had you figured at maybe 32.

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  18. LOVE YOUR PIC!! Jane you are gorgeous, not plain in any way. I’m so glad you were born, and that you take your birthday seriously enough to have lots and lots of fun. Chocolate cake is the best! You have great friends around you.Have fun in Chicago, and many happy returns of the year. 52 is a great age, I can tell you from experience. I liked 53 and now I’m liking 54 as well. Yeah about the neck, yeah about the laugh lines, yeah. Oh well.As for the sparkly stuff, as you know I let all the coloring drop out of my hair last year. I’ve never received so many compliments! Go figure!Onwards & upwards and much much love!

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  19. A very happy birthday, you beautiful soul you.You share a birthday with one of my other favorite people, and I thought of both of you while I play in SanFran. that day.A special note for you on my blog, but tons of love wafting your way before you read it!:D

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  20. Your niece Rachel is just such a great person. We will miss her here at the McLean County Museum of History. I feel terrible that I was not able to give her a proper good-bye. I hope you had a nice visit in Bloomington and a great graduation celebration.

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