Today is my birthday and I’m 50 years old. Wow. I remember when I thought being 50 was having one foot in the grave. It’s funny how we think about these things when we are so young.

In preparation for this half century old body to withstand another quarter century (at least) I have started going to a gym. I know, I should have done it a long time ago, but I always have been slow with the good ideas.  So far I’m really enjoying it. I go every other day for strength training and cardio, but I think I’m going to start going every day for the cardio. I have a lot more energy and as an added bonus, it has actually lessened the frequency and intensity of those horrid hot flashes I’ve been having for almost a year now.

I’m spending my morning cleaning toilets….what fun! Obviously I’m working this week. Trudy had been celebrating my birthday for days now. As I’m writing this she is back in her room drawing me a birthday card. She said she really wanted to bake me a cake (because she wants some!) but instead she is going to buy me a cookie when we go bowling this afternoon.

Last night I took her & Frances to a bingo game, (the rotary club hosts monthly games just for the clients) where another client, George, gave me a rose for my birthday (because the girl he really bought it for didn’t show up) and yet another, Paul, sang Happy Birthday to me. They love birthdays and most are really good at celebrating everyones. I’m blessed to have them as friends.

My twin and I exchanged hibiscus plants and cuttings today. Nice present for each. Also she brought her granddaughter, Faith, and her daughter Sara over to see me. That was a good present all in itself.

I was looking on the internet at some of the things that have been invented since my birth.  The first satellite went up in 1957. It was called the sputnik. I remember when I was small, one of the local grocery stores had a sign made to look like a satellite and we always called it the sputnik store.  Some other things that have come along in the last 50 years are computers, video tapes, microchips, fiber optics, and push button phones. While dial phones have almost completely disappeared. Most of today’s children will never know about dial phones, 8 track tapes, or maybe not even cassette tapes. Strange how things come and go.

Looking back on my life, I can say that I’m about as happy and content as I’ve ever been. I have a husband who loves me and spoils me rotten, and a daughter that I can also count as a friend. I have a job that I mostly enjoy and, best of all, the knowledge that my God loves me and is always with me to help me through any rough times. Life is good.