Turning 40 Was My Pick

I decided when I was 30 that I would like turning 40 better than turning 30 or 50. This was a well thought out, logical conclusion. When I was 30 we had just adopted Ryan, our 2nd son, and lost Elizabeth who was to be our 1st daughter and 3rd child. At 30, I knew my family wasn't complete. Looking forward, I believed our family would be filled with God's chosen children for Ron and I. 50 would see those children moving out for college or other life choices and we would once again have empty rooms. So I decided then that 40 was my golden age.

Here I sit at 55 half way through my 50s and it is true that our kids don't all live under one roof any longer and times have not always been easy. But I guess with maturity I can now appreciate this season of my life as a Noni instead of Mommy. Having grown children is amazing and getting to expand our family through daughter-in-loves and grandkids just makes it that much sweeter.

God blessed us with 4 incredible children to love and I am forever honored by the birthmothers who trusted us with these most precious gifts.  It was hard to watch my last Mommy minivan get towed away last spring with over 200,000 miles on it and bumps and bruises from all my kids learning to drive. But I am adjusting to my little Honda Civic that really only needs one seatbelt most of the time. I put a 'Be Joyful' sticker on my back window and can see it in my rearview mirror. It gently reminds me to be thankful today for today and the gifts it brings my way. Now to look ahead to 60 which at 30 was not even in my thought processes!

In Him,
Joyful
11-19-11