by Lisa Miranda

Created on: November 06, 2009

My 40th Birthday

As I awoke from sleep this morning, a certain serenity washed over me. This was my same home, my same children. I had reached the age of 40 years as I slept. My recollections of birthdays past brought a much different feeling. I felt like this was a rebirth! It was time for control! Control was something I never seemed able to attainr in the past.

My life appears in a very clear cycle for the first time! As a child my actions needed to be at the discretion of my parents. What I did affected them! When the years of a teenager come into play there is a correlation between one's own independence and still being the responsibility of my parents. The twenties brought about a need! I needed to find myself in this big world! What career choice would I choose and how would I get there? The choices I made in my twenties needed to be good ones because they would make or break me for years to come!

The thirties brought with them a feeling of settling. Would I have children? Where would I buy a home to settle in? Thirties challenged me with the passing of loved ones and health challenges. It was during my thirties that I began to reap the benefits of the decisions I made at 20. There was a definite loss of control during the thirties. The stress during this period was far more than my body and soul could take! The depression was difficult and everything hit at once! For the first time in my life I would make no move or decisions because it was easier to ignore issues than to face them head on!

As I sit here, almost twelve hours into forty, I breathe a sigh of relief. I finally feel I am where I should be in my life. I have been blessed with 2 beautiful children. I have a safe home and a roof over my head. I am no longer deciding on a career but am able to step back and decide what I want to do to be happy and not what I can afford to do. I am happy with who I have become.

I am hopeful that the way forty years has began for me is the way it will follow me through the next ten years! My forties will be the age in which blessings should be counted and gifts should be given. Forty is a year to celebrate and not dread. It is a time to breathe a sigh of relief that I have broken into the world and found my way!

Learn more about this author, Lisa Miranda.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.