Turning 50

At this second I am thinking about 50. What is 50? Fifty is a number. It is a multiple of 10 and 5. It is half of 100. It is the number of stars in our flag and the number of states. It is considered the Golden Year if lucky enough to be married for 50 years. For me 50 is the age I will be in a few weeks. What does 50 mean to me. It means losing my waistline. Where has my body gone? The once pear shape has now begun to take the shape of an orange. The metabolism has definitely slowed down making it harder to lose weight. It means wearing reading glasses. Thank God, they now make bi-focal contact lenses. It means menopause - hot flashes, weight gain, memory loss, and night sweats. It means having those "grandma wave good-bye arms". Where did that extra skin come from? The signs of "turkey neck" are beginning to show. The grey hair is now coming faster which means coloring my hair more often. It means taking longer to get out of bed. The legs and feet just don't want to move at times. It now means I am eligible for AARP. I always thought it was for senior citizens. This is probably the most depressing for me because I started receiving AARP membership information about six months ago. They couldn't wait. They have to keep reminding me with their constant mailers.

Although all these physical things are happening, I do not feel or look 50. It is amazing how old 50 use to look. I believe it is due to improvements in women's diet and health care. Women seem to now improve with age and are more attractive than when they were younger. They do say that "50 is the new 40".

What do I have to look forward to at 50? I am on a new venture which I am very excited about and that is working with my sister Bonita to make Bonita Botanicals successful and a household name. In my 20's and 30's I lacked the confidence to become an entrepreneur even though I had the opportunity to succeed. I just thought I could not do it. Today, I feel totally different. I know that my 50's will give me a second chance. I feel that I am growing mentally and spiritually every day and that I am a stronger and more confident. I don't know what will happen, but I cannot wait to find out.


The other most important aspect of my life is my son Rex. He definitely keeps me young. While most 50 year old women are experiencing the "empty nest" and looking forward to a new found freedom, I am experiencing just the opposite. My son is only six years old. Thank God, people don't think I am his grandmother!!! That would be devastating.