Having a Milestone Birthday

In six days, I will be 40. In five days, the world might end. Either way, the world as I know it will be over. I will no longer be a young and vibrant woman in her 30s. Pththt! Naw! I don't feel that way! I don't feel much different than I have felt in the past six or seven years. Maybe even in the past ten years.

Having children has changed me, a bit, but I think I am basically the same person I was ten years ago. I don't feel that different, mentally. Which makes you wonder, do 80 year old people still feel like their 27 year-old selves inside, but are just trapped in a physically failing body? No wonder getting old sucks. And, I mean really old.

It is just a number, right? Most of my high school classmates have already gone through this "milestone" birthday this year. They did not seem worse for wear when I saw them this summer. Most of them did not have a big celebration to mark the occasion. In fact, many of my friends have met 40 quite quietly, as will I. We are having dinner with my parents, and spending the first week of Christmas vacation with them.

People around here, cannot believe I am turning 40. My mom and I have good youth genes. She will be 74 in March, and people are always stunned. I have had people incredulous of age since university. I never know what a certain age is supposed to look like. I just assume most people I meet now, who look around my age, are in fact younger.

My children are young, as well. Most people in Sudbury start their families earlier than people in larger communities. My Vancouverite friends, my age, have children the same age as mine. Most people around here, with children the same age as mine, are 10 years younger. They assume I am the same age as they are.

Even the woman hosting my son's playgroup couldn't believe I was "as old as her". It was kind of amusing. Well, she is a month older than me! Her family did throw a surprise party for her 40th. She knew they had something planned, but got her on the day. She said they were all dressed up in 80s clothes, and played 80s music all night.

That is what usually gets people wondering about my age. When I start referencing John Hughes movies or 80s music. Corey hart. Def Leppard. Cindy Lauper. Pretty in Pink. Breakfast Club. Ferris Bueller. Usually the 30 somethings give blank stares. New Kids on the Block. Yup, that is my generation. But, we grew up watching the Muppets, so it can't be that bad.

 

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