Today is my half birthday. Remember when we used to count them?
Me
“I’m six and a half today, Mom. Can I have half a birthday cake?”
Or:
“How old are you?”
“I’m six and a half.”
Well, today I am double nickels and a half. That means I’m more than halfway to sixty years old.
SIXTY.
When did that happen?
I am the youngest child, the little girl, and was born in the last year of the 1950’s.
My brothers and me
Does fifty-five seem old to you? It used to be. I’m always amazed when I see portrayals of women in film from the 1930’s to mid 1960’s. (Think of Auntie Em in “The Wizard of Oz.” If she’s Dorothy’s aunt, she must be near midlife.) Mothers and grandmothers always looked dowdy, with their gray hair tied back in a hairnet, wearing frumpy, old housedresses. They looked older than they were.
No more, because 55 ½ is not old. It’s a time to reflect and re-discover what’s important to us. Unlike past generations we have more opportunities, and many of us are finding ways to follow our passions.
I’ve had the good fortune to meet many gifted and passionate people who are paying it forward starting in midlife. They’ve touched my heart in so many ways. I’ve met women who bare their souls after facing adversity. They empower me. And I’ve shared my life with other boomers, laughing and crying as we journey together.
What is the point of my post? To say a collective thank you to my family and friends who have stood by my side while I’ve weathered storms, and loved me anyway. Life hands challenges to us all, and when our turn comes along, it’s comforting to know there are people we can lean on.
My MS community also gives me the courage to face another day; they are true heroes to me. I may be a writer and advocate using my voice to spread awareness about MS, but they are the ones giving me strength, every single day, through their example.
I started out writing a post about my half birthday, and now I know the reason why. To give myself a (half) birthday gift of thanking the Universe for allowing me to step back and realize how blessed I am with the people who surround me. What a lucky, lucky girl I am.
Happy Half Birthday to me! Oh, and if you want to send me half a cake, make it double fudge chocolate…
You do have many blessings! Happy Half!
Nice~~
Happy Half Birthday Cathy! And look at you such a YOUNG 55 1/2! I turned 59 and as you might suspect...it doesn't feel ANY different than when I turned 55. I think that is what we ALL experience as we age. I loved what the recent book Life Reimagined said about age, "The truth is, when a number--your age--becomes your identity, you've given away your power to choose your future." Pretty good thought huh? And besides, celebrating your half birthday is just another excellent way to celebrate. We can't do that enough in my book! Have an AWESOME day! ~Kathy
I am fully grateful that you are part of my life -- no half-way on that one!
We did this for my 2 kids who both have birthdays in the winter, so we would celebrate in the summer. Lovely post, Cathy!
We always celebrate half birthdays around here! If you and I lived closer to each other (my wish), I would be taking you out right now for cake and cronuts -- no halves! Happy half birthday, my sweet friend. xo
Is your birthday in February?
We celebrate the 6-month-old's 1/2 birthdays in our family and we do 1/2 cakes and half gifts like pants without the shirt kind of stuff.
I will be 57 in February. It does startle me a bit but I quickly remember how good life is and all of the wonderful new friends I have in my life.
Happy half birthday, I hope you get a whole cake.
Happy Half Birthday, Cathy! I celebrate mine, too. You have much to celebration because you are an amazing person.
I'll share that cake with you - and sing a song!
Wonderful to have so much to be thankful for and HAPPY Half-Birthday to you! Now pass me a piece of that cake.
How is it that it's your celebration, but we get the gift? You are such a light of inspiration and love! Happy 1/2 celebration to you, and thank you for the gifts you being into my life. xo
Happy 1/2 Birthday! Always a good reason to count our blessings. Hope you have a wonderful weekend!
Well I never celebrated a half birthday, though I like this idea. However, I always celebrated half a birthday since Alexandra got to celebrate the other half. So glad you are celebrating with lots of love and warmth surrounding you! And now I know you are half a year younger than A and I!
Happy 1/2 Birthday! I hope you have the best weekend ever. I've never heard of 1/2 birthday celebrations but I love it! I am so going to start what I hope becomes a new family tradition.
A very happy half-birthday to you. I'll gladly split a cupcake with a gal pal in your honor.
♫ A very merry un-birthday to you! ♪
XOXO
Happy half birthday!!
I see nothing wrong with celebrating half birthdays. In fact, this year is a milestone birthday for me---the big 6-0 and I'm celebrating all year!
Happy Half, Cathy!! I agree that the best gift we can give ourselves is to see our lives with gratitude. Midlife is not so much about getting old anymore, as it is about getting closer to fulfilling one's true potential. That IS exciting isn't it? Thanks for a heartfelt post!
Happy Half! I love this idea. Birthday cake twice in a year! And I love the idea of counting blessings. When you start to enumerate, they compound! 🙂
Happy Half Birthday Cathy! Here's a fun little list I found for ways to celebrate your half birthday. http://www.halfbirthday.com/things-to-do-on-half-birthday.html