Quadsville

For once, it’s ME, not the toddler-daughter, who is kicking and screaming.

I’m putting up quite a fight in my mind. How could it be that I’ll be turning 35 this Friday?

I know. Some of you are laughing at me. Maybe you’re younger and you’re thinking, “What the heck?! I’d be crying, too.”

Or maybe you’re older and you’re thinking, “What is she complaining about? She’s just a baby.”

Well, I’m not quite there yet. I’m more in the feeling-like-crying phase right now. Ha!

Why is this bothering me so much? I don’t remember feeling really shaken by a birthday since my 25th. My 30th was a milestone, but a fun one, because all of my best girl friends took turns throwing amazingly big parties for each other (complete with scrapbooks created by one of our best party-planning friends). We all looked forward to taking our turn in the birthday throne, so to speak.

But this time? Not so much.

We haven’t had any best-friend-birthday parties this year. One by one, as we’ve all reached 35, we’ve barely mentioned our birthdays to each other.

Several of us have little ones at home again, so we’re busy. But we’ve never been too busy for a party … until now. I guess it’s because no one really feels like whooping it up for 35.

What’s worse: I’m facing all these reminders about the passage of time.

My husband and I just attended his 20th high school reunion last month. My firstborn baby is going to turn 18 — as in YEARS old, not months – in early September. I looked around at a recent family gathering and suddenly realized I’m not one of the younger adults anymore. I’m one of the “middle-aged” relatives. GAWD.

A recent perusal of friends’ photos on Facebook was the clincher. One of the guys who friended me this week is someone I haven’t seen in about 15 years … and I wouldn’t have recognized him anymore. I wonder if he would have recognized me.

One good thing: Most of the time, I still feel young … and that’s half the battle, right?! Maybe?

Help! Any words of wisdom? Advice?  Personal affirmations … like “I’m OK, you’re OK?” (Hahahahahaha!!!!)