Six Times Around the Sun

So. I turn 60 years well lived on November 22. I can't believe I just typed 6-0. How did this happen?! It is mind boggling that I have been around for six decades. I'll tell ya something. I am having a little bit of mixed feelings, some trouble, with this 'milestone' birthday.

On one hand, I am really proud of myself in so many ways. But on the other hand, I look so old. On some days, feel old, too. Well, I feel old mostly when I look in the mirror or at some of the photos of myself and see the Dennise in the photo on the right.

I feel like the photo on the left.
But I see the photo on the right.
Both of them were taken two weeks ago.
Both of them are me.

I am not looking for platitudes on this share, folks. I am being vulnerable, sharing something that is on my mind and my heart. And, yes, make no mistake - it is a post about vanity, too. I also know that I have the privilege of living a marvelous life experience full of loving connection and creative expression. I am one lucky and blessed broad.

Being a woman of a certain age is loaded with lots of expectations, and most are not such good things when it comes to our culture here in the US.

95% of the time I feel like a beautiful soul and other times like crud. I guess that's what it means to be human, yes? Sometimes its great. Sometimes, not so much.

Now what? I suspect I will be leaning into this age thing all week long, so get ready. I so love the photo of me on the left. It reminds me of my days of a freewheeling 30-something self! The one on the right is old age staring right back at me and I don't like it.

There will be mostly celebration on Friday and also reflections about what is like for this particular broad to age in America. I live in an 'and/both' world these days. I will feel both the joy to be alive and also the grief about aging.

​And that is okay.