This week’s Tuesday Topic: Tell us why you’re thankful for running this year! You can write about this topic or feel free to post any running related blog post. Remember to link up with Kim and Zenaida! Visit at least two of the other linked posts – the more the merrier! Remember to come back for later linkers!
I am deviating from this week’s topic to write about this past Sunday when I turned 50. I wasn’t planning to do anything for my birthday but at the last minute decided to have a small gathering/dinner with family at Home Run Inn Pizza. We had a good time. We ate, talked, and laughed.
The weekend was full of emotions and thoughts. Let me share them with you.
🎂 Really, 50 is just a number. I do not feel “older”. Society has us believing that 50 is old.
🎂 My mother remembers when she turned 50. I have a vague memory of that day. She mentioned that she didn’t think she would live long enough to see us turn 50. I told her that she has one more child to turn 50.
🎂 Being 50 brings me closer to retirement. I am giving myself 10-11 more years to work. I cannot see myself being in my 60s and still being a classroom teacher. Teaching is hard now and with the way things are going, it will get even more difficult. Plus, I will not have the patience to deal with kids.
🎂 I hope I can travel more. I did a lot of traveling in my 30s and in my 40s. My last trip was a race in Atlanta in 2020.
🎂 Sometimes I compare myself to others that are the same age as I am. I know I shouldn’t do this but I cannot help it. Many people I know are married and/or with kids. Sometimes I feel left out or that I am missing out. Sometimes I feel as if I am not succeeding in life. I know it is absolutely ridiculous! I shouldn’t feel this way because not every woman is supposed to get married and/or have kids.
🎂 I am grateful that I am healthy and I hope I stay that way for a long time. I look at my mother and all of her complications due to diabetes, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure. Well, it is mostly diabetes that has caused the most complications for her. Deep down I hope I do not require as much assistance as my mother.
🎂 During my run on Sunday I thought back to how I celebrated when I turned 10, 20, 30, and 40. Well, I have no recollection when I turned 10. For 20, I was in college. It was then that I learned the term “Golden Birthday”. For 30, I went to dinner with friends and I think to a club. That was what we used to do back in the day. For 40, I went to dinner with friends (again) and then played Bocce. It was my first and last time.
🎂 I am excited to see what this new decade will bring.
🎂 I never pictured that I will be living with my sister and taking care of my mother. Sometimes it is difficult. Sometimes it is fun. Sometimes I am resentful that I am in that situation. Does that make me a bad person? I remember years ago thinking that one day I would love to live in a condo close to the lakefront. Maybe when I retire I will.
Topic for next week – Free Topic. Feel free to write about any running related topic. We hope you’ll link up with us!
Let me tell you that you look a very young 50, Zenaida!
I’m glad you had a great time on Sunday.
Keep doing what you’re doing – enjoying life, keeping fit and healthy, busy with family and work.
You will see, one day you will be in that condo close to the lakefront. It may seem like a distant dream, but if you keep at it, you will get it.
Thanks my friend! Sending you lots of virtual hugs!!
Happy birthday. I agree with Catrina. You don’t look 50.
Age is just a number. Life turns out differently for everyone. It’s rarely the way you planned. I thought I’d be retired playing with my grandkids.
I’ve come to realize that we make our own happiness. And being healthy is number one.
Running fits in with that.
Happy Birthday! I would have never guessed you would be turning 50! Remember, there is no “one way” to live life. Cherish the time you have to be able to spend with family. You are very lucky! Have a great weekend.
Thanks so much! I love what you said “there is no one way to live life”. Everyone’s life is different and I know I shouldn’t compare myself. I will stop doing it because I do know I am very lucky.
Thank you. Yes, we make our own happiness. It is up to us and no one else. I remember in high school I wrote something like in 10 years or by the time I was 30, I would be married with a few kids. Life does turn out different for everyone.
Happy Birthday!! And Happy 5-0!! I agree, age is just a number, and 50 merely just has a “5” in the first digit. Personally, I feel half my age most days, so don’t let those “numbers” affect your livelihood.
Thank you!
Happy Birthday! And welcome to the 5-0 club 😉 As the others have said, it is just a number and we all reach (and surpass) this age milestone in different ways. Don’t let comparison steal your joy.
I won’t! I am always thankful that I get to celebrate another birthday,
Age is just a number. I am just a few years ahead of you and I feel better than I did in my 40’s. Don’t count yourself out yet!! Hope this decade brings you many happy wishes come true
Thanks my friend!!
I absolutely agree – age is just a number and I didn’t think you were going to turn 50. You look fabulous and even though you might not have hit all the “milestones” that one is supposed to hit in life, I hope you feel happy. I think you’re living a full life in other ways, you stay active and pursue the things you like… and there’s something to be said for that.
And as someone who lives far away from family, remember to treasure the time with your mom and sister – even if sometimes you wish you wouldn’t live with them (and maybe you won’t forever. Keep chipping away at that dream of a condo at the lakefront!).
Happy birthday!
You are right. I am living a full life and doing many things that I love.
Happy Birthday! I am so glad that you were able to celebrate your milestone birthday with your family. And I totally agree that age is just a number. I have a milestone birthday next year and I know a few people I went to high school with are freaking out about it but I’m like – it’s no big deal, lol.
Yay! That is exciting you will have a milestone birthday next year.
Happy Birthday, Zenaida! Hope it’s your best decade yet!
Thank you!
Happy Birthday! 50 is the new 40. Enjoy!
Thank you!
Happy belated birthday, Zenaida! You look great and when comparing yourself to others, you should ask yourself how many other 50-year-old women can still run? It’s hard not to compare ourselves to others, but remember what Teddy Roosevelt is quoted as saying, “Comparison is the thief of joy.”
Thanks so much! And that quote is so true.
Well, I’m a little late here, but Happy Belated Birthday! Yes, 50 might sound old but I think we’re pretty youthful. You could compare yourself to others- who are married and have kids- but you could also compare yourself to 50 year olds who are out of shape and unhealthy. I would say you’re doing really well! I think it’s wonderful that you, your sister and your mother are so close. I think you’ll look back and be glad you had this time with them. Anyway… I hope you did something fun to celebrate!
Thank you!