Turning 40

birthdaymeSomehow, today I turned 40. I don’t know what I was expecting. I don’t feel 40, but what does 40 even feel like? When you’re a child, you think people who are 40 must be old and grown up. I don’t feel old or grown up.

On the other hand, I do feel like I’ve had more than my share of amazing experiences in 40 years. Sometimes though, I feel like an 18 year old who has just had an extra 22 years of life experience. Although my hair is changing from brown to gray, a few fine lines are appearing around my eyes and forehead, and my joints sometimes feel a little sore, I still don’t feel old. (Maybe the joints shouldn’t count since I had broke an elbow twice and had two knee surgeries before I was 18 – not to mention countless sprained ankles!) Maybe our spirit never feels old. Perhaps it’s just our earthly bodies that slowly wear out (not that mine feels very worn out, either).

I also never could have imagined I would spend my 40th birthday celebrating in England because I live here. It’s been a little difficult being so far away from the rest of my family. Last year, I spent my birthday hanging out with my sister and a lovely evening meal with my parents, sister, brother-in-law, and nephews. Although my husband was far away in England. This year, I’m the one far away from them but here with my husband.

I thought I wanted/needed to do something big and spectacular for my birthday, but I couldn’t figure out what. Yesterday, we went to the White Cliffs of Dover chasing the sun expecting today to be cloudy and wet.

But today ended up beautiful and sunny and I spent a blissful day in England from church to brunch to Stowe Landscape Gardens with my husband and dog, ending with a lovely meal at Jamie’s Italian. It was lovely; a great way to spend a birthday weekend. Maybe it wasn’t big and spectacular, but it was a beautiful day.

And so now I am 40. I can’t wait to see where the adventure of life takes me next!

Gardens, blue sky, and a lovely dog
Gardens, blue sky, and a lovely dog
Birthday coffee and GF brownie in the sunshine
Birthday coffee and GF brownie in the sunshine

By Janelle

Space geek, science nerd extraordinaire. That's me! Want to know more, visit the About page.

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