January 31, 2010

Medius Aevum

Today is my birthday! I turned 35, thus joining the 35-54 year old demographic group. Next step: senior citizen-hood. This morning we took the kids out to brunch at our neighborhood diner and a walk by the river. Now I get to curl up with a cup of tea and a new book (reading in the middle of the day!) before dinner at my parents' house.

I've been remembering back to ten years ago a lot this week. Twenty-five was the closing year of a certain phase of my life in many ways. At 26 I would marry, move, return to grad school, and decide that what was looking to be a promising career just wasn't what I wanted to be doing for the rest of my working life. I was 26 when the symptoms of a chronic condition started making themselves apparent and when it began to sink in that fertility wasn't going to be a straight, easy road for me. Twenty-five belongs to my "before" in so very many respects. And although the promise of that "anything is possible" feeling which belonged to that time was so exhilarating, I like being on the other side of it, too.

If you had asked me at 25 what I thought my 35-year old self would be like, what my life would look like, I'm not sure what I would have said. I know it would have included Todd. Beyond that, who knew? But, my word, has it played out in lovely and wonderful ways. I may be one step removed from retirement in the eyes according to the great gods of demographics, but it sure feels to me like there is an enormous amount left to be played out. And maybe we'll all still be here at this blog to find out what my 45 will be like.

    28 comments:

    Anonymous said...

    Happy birthday! Hope you've got a great year unfolding.

    Anonymous said...

    It'll be my birthday soon with the big-number celebration just before yours. I hope when I'm 35 I'm as kind and mature as you. I hope I'll get to read you through many more birthdays. Enjoy this one!

    Sam said...

    Happy HAPPY Birthday!

    Lori Lavender Luz said...

    Happy birthday, Heather.

    I hope your coming year and your coming decade are full of blessings.

    Jess said...

    Happy Birthday!!!

    Alissabeth said...

    Happy Birthday! So glad you blog here. ♥

    luna said...

    wishing you all the best for the coming year (and decade)! and as much cake as you want. happy celebrating you!

    Anonymous said...

    Happy Birthday!

    Andy said...

    Happy Birthday! 35 was a good year for me, so I hope you enjoy yours!

    Hilary said...

    Happy Birthday!

    Dawn said...

    Happy (late) birthday!!! I remember that 35 felt weird to me because even though our family was complete (Madison was here, Brett had just had a vasectomy -- I mean, we knew we were DONE!) because they made such noise about it when we were in infertility treatment. So I kind of had it in my head as this BIG NUMBER.

    Geochick said...

    Happy Belated Birthday!

    Ungrateful Little Bastard said...

    Happy Belated Birthday!

    Meg Weber Jeske said...

    Happy late birthday!

    cynthia said...

    Happy Birthday! There's something about being on the other side of 35 (even more so at 36, which I am) that I find incredibly liberating. Hope it was a great day!!

    a Tonggu Momma said...

    Happy (belated) birthday! I am just a year older, so I suspect we both wore the same scary clothes in junior high school.

    Clementine said...

    Happy birthday, Heather! Here's wishing you (and your family) the best.

    Anonymous said...

    Happy Birthday!

    Jamie said...

    happy birthday!!! i just turned 35 in july and i must say it feels a little weird. :)
    i hope you have a wonderful day full of all the things you love most in your life. :)

    Lollipop Goldstein said...

    Happy birthday! Hope it was a wonderful day.

    Lori said...

    Hope your special day was the first of many your 35th year will bring! Remember when 40 seemed old? Yep, neither do I. We're in our prime!

    SassyCupcakes said...

    Happy Birthday! I turn 26 at the end of the month and am really feeling like what happens now is going to set me on my path for the rest of my life. To be honest, I've met so many awesome 35+ women through blogging I can't wait to get through my twenties and into (what seems to be) the more liberating and fun years of my life. I really hope the next decade brings you a whole lot of happiness and good times.

    Kohana said...

    Happy Birthday!

    hope548 said...

    A belated happy birthday to you!

    Kristin said...

    Best wishes for your 35th year, and the next decade. The best is yet to come!

    Maru said...

    Happy Birthday, girl! I loved turning 35. I felt like a grown up. :oP

    Guera! said...

    A very happy birthday to you!

    Clare said...

    Very belated happy birthday... just finally catching up on blogs in my reader....

    Reading this post made me feel really positive. I always learn so much reading your blog. I too was 26 when I started having symptoms of my own condition and starting realize the impact that would have on my fertility, in spite of doctors insisting all would be fine. While I had complete confidence that I could manage parenthood as well as anyone does if it have happened more easily, I doubted that I had the age/maturity/wisdom for more shared approaches such as donor eggs or adoption (very different things obviously, but both involve other people and more planning/thought/consideration than peeing on a stick and moving forward with hundreds of role models all around you of how to/not to proceed). Reading your blog helps me feel a bit more confident that I too could find a path and navigate it, even if I am still youngish.

    Thanks! and best wishes in your 35 years. I am sure you have many wonderful days!

    Post a Comment

    Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.

    Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...